Gross, Dorothy Bercu, 1917-2015
Biography
Naomi Dorothea (Dorothy) Bercu was born June 14, 1917 in Douglas, Wyoming. Her father George Bercu owned the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas and in Denver. He married Olive Mistachkin and the couple became parents of Dorothy (1917-2015), Harryette (1918), Robert (1919), Bernard (1921), and Berverly (1935). From 1925-1928, Dorothy and Harryette danced on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit around the west. They were later joined by Bob and Bernard and the whole troupe performed from New York City to Juarez, Mexico. The sisters also danced from 1936 to 1939. Dorothy attended the University of Utah in Ogden, Utah beginning in 1930 at the age of sixteen. She started a theatrical booking agency in Salt Lake City and taught dancing. Dorothy married Norman Gross in 1941 after he had signed up for her dance class. They raised three children, Valerie (Schreiber), Gary, and Dennis in Dallas, Texas. She also taught fitness classes. She died in Dallas in 2015.
Found in 41 Collections and/or Records:
Box 31, between 1950-2015
Photograhs in folders
Box 47, 1942 - 2002
Box contains material relevant to Valerie Gross Horwitz such as news clippings, photos, letters, holiday cards, birthday cards, report cards, programs, awards, her baby scrapbook, her wedding scrapbook, ID cards, and her wedding invitation suspended in resin.
Box 48, 1929-2002
Contains scrapbook (1930s and 1940s); Harold (Bob) Bercu photograph and correspondence (circa 1945); Norman Mistachkin (1935); George Bercu photograph (circa 1925); pencil drawing of Dorothy Bercu (2002) and George Bercu Masonic documents (1929).
Box 49, 1900 - 2005
Box predominantly contains materials relevant to Valerie Gross Horwitz as well as a photo of Florence Mistachkin, photos of Valerie Horwitz, Julian Horwitz, and photos of their children. Other materials include scrapbook pages, certifications, diplomas, and caricature drawings of Valerie, Norman, and Dorothy Gross.
Castanet, circa 1930
One castanet, made in Mexico. Valerie Schreiber, Dorothy Bercu's daughter, remembers her bringing the castanets out to dance and play them for her grandchildren who were dazzled by them (see note from Valerie in collection file).
"Dancin' Feet", 1992
Newspaper article about 74 year old Dorothy Gross' exercise class.
Dorothy Bercu in Mexican Costume, between 1933-1934
Dorothy Bercu is posing in a large straw hat, woven Mexican style costume, and tap shoes with bows. Dorothy Bercu and her siblings toured in vaudeville shows and dance revues.
Dorothy Bercu in Modern Dance Costume, between 1928-1934
Dorothy Bercu is shown in a classical modern dance costume, barefoot, and is doing splits. Dorothy and her sister Harryette were vaudeville performers in the 1920s and 1930s.
Dorothy Bercu in Shawl Cut-Out, 1933-1935
Cut-out of Dorothy Bercu standing in a large shawl and in ballet flats. There is a large flower decoration in her hair. Dorothy and her sister performed in vaudeville in the 1920s and 1930s.
Dorothy Bercu Mexican Hat Dance, 1937
Dorothy Bercu is standing in tap shoes next to a Mexican hat that is on the floor. Her top, apron and skirt have sequin designs and the top of the arpon has a woven design. Dorothy Bercu had a booking agency beginning in 1937.