Lilli was born in Slagelse, Denmark. She was accepted into the Royal Danish Ballet School in Copenhagen at the age of 6, where she received her entire education and later joined the Company. She rose to the highest level in the Company as a soloist and danced until the end of WWII. This was a difficult time for her as Denmark was occupied by the Germans from 1939 to 1945.
In 1947 on a trip from Denmark to Hawaii, to see "paradise" she met her future husband, George Selvig. They were married in Old Lyme, CT August 27, 1948. As a couple they lived in New York City, where Lilli studied with George Balanchine, Pierre Vladimiroff and Muriel Stuart at the School of American Ballet. Later she danced with Edward Caton at the Metropolitan Opera.
The family, now to include young son Conrad, made their way west, driving their tiny MG TC, to Santa Monica CA to care for George's aging father, a retired U.S. Congressman from Minnesota.
Lilli had been introduced to Carmel Valley while visiting a Danish friend on her earlier trip to Hawaii. Ever since then, the Valley beckoned her so the family moved to Robles del Rio in 1954. George taught at Tularcitos School and her son Dirck was born.
The family moved to Big Sur in the early sixties, when George was offered a teaching job at Captain Cooper School and was later promoted to the positon of Principal. Lilli loved the community of Big Sur, taught ballet, produced children's shows and choreographed the Big Sur Review along with Eve Miller at the Grange Hall. For a number of years, Lilli would drive from Big Sur to The Beach Club and later to the Lodge in Pebble Beach, where she taught many of the young people of the Peninsula at the Cotillion.
The family moved to Carmel in 1971. Lilli operated her popular Ballet Studio at Sunset Center for 18 years where she met and made so many friends.
After retiring she spent a number of years volunteering for the City of Monterey with the "Garden Group," making so many new friends.
Lilli was preceded in Death by her husband, George in 1974. She is survived by her two sons, Conrad (Ellen) Dirck (Robin) both of Carmel and her two grandsons, Dylan and Brenden.
A private cremation has been held. There will be a private gathering at a later time. The Paul Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Honoring Lilli's wish, the family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the S.P.C.A. P. O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942, or to the donor's favorite charity
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