Emily Jane Shapiro

September 28, 1959 - January 5, 2022

Emily Jane Kinnamon Shapiro, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend of many, began her journey in heaven on January 5, 2022. Emily shone a light on this earth beaming strength, love, compassion, optimism, beauty, and humility. Her dedication to dance and dance instruction was infectious and will be carried on by the many students whose lives she touched. Born September 28, 1959 in Takoma Park, Maryland, Emily grew up in the Washington, DC area and attended school at the Academy of Washington Ballet and American University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Arts in Dance and Performing Arts in 1981. Emily went on to perform in ballet and modern dance and to teach dance in the Washington, DC area until moving to California in 1988 and Texas in 1994, where she also instructed at numerous studios. Emily is remembered by her daughter Sara for teaching her to see beauty in all things. She instilled curiosity and passion for life and nature and for seeing magic in the world. Emily is remembered by her Son Michael for always being supportive and loving and being his hero, teaching him perseverance, strength, optimism, and courage. She instilled beauty in this world in a fashion that inspired him to look at the world in a way never possible without her guidance and motherly teachings. Emily was an angelic soul who showed her son that there is beauty in even the smallest things and to never overlook the silver lining no matter how hidden it may appear. Emily is remembered by her husband of 33 years, Jeffrey, as half of a whole, a cherished soul and life partner who embodied grace, dignity and beauty, and always put the interests of others above her own. Preceded in death by her parents John and Helen Kinnamon, Emily is survived by her husband Jeffrey, daughter Sara, son Michael, sister Catherine Joy Cocuzzi and brother John Kinnamon. In recognition of the current COVID public health emergency, a celebration of Emily’s life will be scheduled later this year, with anticipation of a safer time for family and friends to gather. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation honoring Emily’s memory and wishes by supporting cancer research at the Livestrong Institute and recognizing Emily’s extraordinary oncologist and researcher, Dr. Anna Capasso. Donations can be made online by copying this link into a browser: https://bit.ly/emilyshapiro or by mailing a check to: The University of Texas at Austin, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713-7458. In the memo line, please write “LCI/Capasso – in memory of Emily Shapiro.”