Mary Ann LaJoie-Sandroff

Mary Ann LaJoie-Sandroff, a lifelong advocate for the creative spirit, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of elegance, grace, and meaningful artistic contribution. She was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, and raised and educated in Detroit, where her love of dance was evident from an early age. She began ballet lessons as a young child, a passion that would guide her life’s work and shape generations of dancers.

As a teenager and young adult, Mary Ann studied at the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts, honing her classical training. Her exceptional talent led her to further study with the legendary choreographer George Balanchine at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She danced professionally with several distinguished companies, including the Detroit City Ballet, Sadler’s Wells Ballet Company, and, after relocating to Chicago, the Muriel Abbott Dancers.

Following her successful dance career, Mary Ann transitioned to modeling, where her poise and striking presence made her one of Chicago’s most sought-after figures. She appeared in numerous print campaigns and television commercials, eventually earning the title of “Chicago’s Top Model.”

Upon retiring from modeling, she continued her commitment to creative expression by opening an art gallery in downtown Chicago. There, she promoted the work of both established and emerging painters and sculptors, introducing their work to Chicago’s collector community and broadening the city’s artistic landscape.

Mary Ann’s life took a new turn when she married composer and educator Howard Sandroff. The couple settled in Wilmette, Illinois, where Mary Ann founded the Center of Creative Dance, Inc. For more than four decades, she nurtured and inspired hundreds of North Shore children, teens, and adults through dance instruction, choreography, and mentorship. Her studio was more than a place of learning—it was a supportive haven of growth and expression. She choreographed numerous original ballets, always championing the importance of the arts in education and community life.

Later in her career, Mary Ann expanded her creative voice into writing, publishing books on dance instruction as well as poetry. Even after closing the Center of Creative Dance in the early 2000s, she remained active as a teacher, continuing to lead adult classes until October of last year.

Mary Ann is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Howard Sandroff; her cousins Dave Jones, Amy Jones Lowe, and Amanda Jones Nizzere; her adopted families, the Sandroffs, Koffs, Smiths, Meyers, hundreds of students and her beloved miniature husky, Puck, who brought her great joy and companionship.

Her life was a testament to creativity, discipline, and love—a brilliant example of how the arts can enrich not only one’s own life but also the lives of others. Mary Ann will be remembered by her students, colleagues, friends, and family as a force of beauty and inspiration.

A funeral service will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:00 AM at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue.