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Amy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. | Source: Getty Images

Amy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.'s marriage of 28 years was cut short when she died at 63 from brain cancer. The former bad boy child star was very supportive of his wife's dance career, and together, they bought an old theatre.

The love and respect for Amy Arnaz from students ran so deep that some would curtsy whenever they saw her, whether in the dance studio, the market, or church. She is remembered as a magical and virtuous woman.

Known as Miss Amy to her students, the ballerina was an elegant dame, marked by her maxi skirts accented with a tight belt. Lucille Ball's daughter-in-law was never seen leaving the house without her signature lipstick and an emasculate quiff.

Desi Arnaz Jr. and his wife Amy Bargiel arrive at the Carl Wilson benefit concert October 14, 2001 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. | Source: Getty Images

Amy Arnaz Crossed Paths with Her Future Husband Years before They Started Dating

The dancer was born Amy Laura Bargiel on September 12, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from San Diego State University and trained as a ballerina under Dame Sonia Arova at the San Diego Ballet Company.

She was a principal dancer for ten years at the Nevada Dance Theatre under the direction of choreographer Vassili Sulich. With her first husband, Gary Frederick Charf, who she married in September 1975, she has one daughter Haley. The couple was granted a divorce on May 11, 1979.

As a student of New Life Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers self-development programs that incorporate the writings of Vernon Howard, Amy met her future husband around the late 70s/early 80s. Desi, the organization's spokesperson, only started dating the dancer a few years later.

The showbiz pair got married after three years of dating on October 8, 1987, by one of the ministers of New Life Foundation, Guy Finley. Desi's mom Lucille Ball, her husband, Gary Morton, and his sister, Lucie Arnaz, were among the 150 guests to celebrate the union.

The busy newlyweds did not have time to take a honeymoon directly after their big day. Desi presented "success without stress seminars" around the county and developed film projects with Finley, and Amy had a packed schedule of dance classes.

Amy took her husband's last name, as did Haley after her new stepdad adopted her. The couple split their time between Boulder City, Nevada, and Beverly Hills, California, for the first few years of their union and ultimately settled in Nevada.

Haley Arnaz, Amy Arnaz, and Desi Arnaz Jr at the The Fourth Annual Carl Wilson Benefit Concert, on October 14, 200. | Source: Getty Images

Amy Arnaz Continued Her Passion for Dancing after Her Marriage

The Arnaz couple bought and renovated the Historic Boulder Theatre, which became the home of the Boulder City Ballet Company, which she co-founded. As a dance teacher, she was patient with her students and highlighted every detail while producing a show.

Amy sensitively wrote about her daughter growing up in the studio and her feelings about never getting the part of young Clara in "The Nutcracker."

The dancer and author were honored for her work with children in the Southern Nevada community with the "Spirit of Nevada Award" and were recognized by the 109th Congress. Former student Jayme Server, who became a professional dancer at Disneyland, lauded how Miss Amy for always making everyone feel welcome in her studio.

American actor Desi Arnaz Jr with his wife Amy, circa 1995. | Source: Getty Images

Amy wrote a trilogy of semi-biographical children's books about a blonde, brown eyes ballet dancer, "Little Haley Stories," with her friend Ellen Dickstein. All the stories were based on events of her daughter Haley's real life.

The books "The Magic Tutu," "Juliana Cuddles," and "Clara's Nutcracker" laid the groundwork for productions choreographed especially for her students.

Young students of the dance company Amy Eschner, Brynlee Campbell, and Lauren Cluver, were responsible for the trilogy's cover art. The slim volumes included photos of the Arnaz family and pictures of the company by Andy Cattoir.

Haley Arnaz Became a Ballerina like Her Mom, Amy Arnaz

In the third installment of her books, published in 2011, "Clara's Nutcracker," Amy sensitively wrote about her daughter growing up in the dance studio and her feelings about never getting the part of young Clara in "The Nutcracker." Haley was born on December 17, 1976.

At 31, Haley portrayed the older Clara and the Princess in the Land of Sweets in the December 2008 production of the Christmas classic. Some beaded costumes were handmade in Romania at $400 a pop. She also danced a duet in the 2006 production of the show.

Desi Jr. was 15 when his model girlfriend gave birth to his daughter, Desiree, who died from cancer at a young age. Desiree attended the opening of the "Lucy," a tribute exhibit to Lucille Ball, with her stepmother, stepsister, and dad in March 1991.

Amy Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Haley Arnaz, and Nichole Arnaz Amy Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Haley Arnaz and Nichole Arnaz, on March 12, 1991. | Source: Getty Images

Amy Arnaz Passed Away before Her Husband from Brain Cancer

On Friday, March 6, 2015, the citizens of Boulder City and former students turned the sky pink with balloons in memory of one of its most beloved citizens, Amy Arnaz, who passed away on January 23, 2015, from brain cancer.

Her niece and the inspiration for her second book, "Juliana Cuddles," said that the event was "light-hearted" and not at all sad. She explained that her aunt brought so much joy into everyone's life, and they were happy to be there to remember her.

The memorial event, hosted at the Bicentennial Park in Boulder City, was decorated with a 6-foot-long banner with Amy's likeness and the quote, "Keep Dancing and Love." Haley said: "I can't believe how many people love my mom and how many people came for her. They drove from all over, and it's beautiful."

Amy's husband, Lucille Ball's son, shared a 20-minute video montage that he worked on for two years of the recitals she produced and family pictures overlayed with a mix of melancholic and upbeat music.

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