Obituary of Leslie Libby Swaha

Leslie Libby Swaha, Founder and Artistic Director of the Santa Cruz based Crash, Burn and Die Dance Company, passed away unexpectedly October 29, surrounded by friends and family who sent her on her way. Preceded in death by her parents Grace and Lester Libby of Los Altos Hills, California, Leslie is survived by her long time partner, Scott Lewis of Aptos, California; her sister, Valerie Libby Wagner of Cincinnati, Ohio; three cousins in Texas; and innumerable friends, colleagues and associates world-wide. Raised in Los Altos, California, she studied dance for most of her life, starting at the San Francisco school of Ballet, and continuing with various teachers and schools, including Erik Hawkins in New York and Santa Cruz Studio Ballet. She received a B.A. in Theatre/Dance from UCSC. Under her co-direction of Moving and Storage Performance Company with Therese Adams, her choreography was performed throughout California, and in New York and Japan. As a patron of the arts, she influenced many who came in contact with her. She was also a valued employee at Lintelle Engineering. A celebration of life will be conducted at a later date.