Glen Charlow

Gary Morton, Amy Arnaz, Desi Arnaz JR, and Lucille Ball. (Amy Laura Bargiel marries Desi Arnaz JR on October 8, 1987.)

Amy Arnaz, the wife of Desi Arnaz JR, has lost her battle with cancer, at age 63. Amy passed away on the 23rd January 2015, four days after Desi JR’s 62nd birthday. Amy had been battling a brain tumor, which was first diagnosed in January 2013.

The couple made their home in Boulder City, Nevada, with their daughter, Haley, and owned the Boulder Theatre, a cinema converted into a theatre and home to the Boulder City Ballet Company.

Amy was a dancer, and trained with Christina Carson. She also studied with the late Sonja Arova and taught ballet at the University of Nevada. Her dancing was also influenced by Vassili Sulich, the founder of Nevada Dance Theatre.

Amy was affectionately known as ‘Miss Amy’ to those that knew her. She was the executive director of the Boulder City Ballet Company.

“I enjoy this aspect of the dance world as much as the performing /teaching side. The children are very funny and as most dance instructors know, there is a pleasant reward in watching them progress through the years and finally reach a point where they can actually dance.” Amy wrote on her blog.

Besides Amy’s interest in dance, she was also an Animal activist. Amy and Desi JR have supported the rescue of many baby elephants that have been orphaned due to the ivory trade, by adopting them.

I had the pleasure of meeting Amy with her daughter Haley in Jamestown for Lucy-Desi Days – August 4, 2001.

Michael Stern – Author of I Had a Ball – My Friendship with Lucill Ball and friend of the Arnaz family for many years, first Posted about the death of Amy on facebook:
‘It’s with a heavy heart that I am learning today that Amy Arnaz has passed away. She had been suffering for a long time with cancer. She was a fighter till the end. I learned years ago what “REST IN PEACE” means and I know today that my friend Amy is now “RESTING IN PEACE”… My love goes out to all the Arnaz’s…”

The Desi Anraz JR facebook page, run by Hollywood Historian and friend of the Arnaz family, Jaime Vermeulen posted:  “Please keep the Arnaz family in your thoughts and prayers ~ just heard that Desi lost his wife Amy to cancer~ thanks for being a friend Amy I will treasure the letters and cards you sent back to me~ and I thank you for giving me the green light on Desi Jr.s page on here~ so glad you were happy with what I have done for Desi on here~ May you be at peace and out of pain.”

- See more at: http://www.goodhollywood.com/details/lucille-ball-s-daughter-in-law-amy-arnaz-dead-at-63-exclusive#sthash.aiVFxlSY.dpuf