Obituary of Olia Balch

Olia Balch, 94, of Howell passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, Lakewood. She was born in Istanbul, Turkey to the late Nitika and Anna Sarov. Olia was an accomplished, classically trained dancer and ballerina, studying with renowned Ballet Master George Balanchine, and having danced with the Russe De Monte Carlo, Ballet Russe, Colonial de Basil, Russian Ballet, Conservatory of Paris and New York City Rockettes. She was owner and operator of Olia's School of Dance for over 40 years. She will be remembered by cherished friends and students whose lives were all touched and a passion for dance was shared. She was predeceased by her husband, Herman Balch, in 1986. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service to be held at St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church, 316 Cassville Road (Route 571) Jackson Township on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Jackson Township. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.