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Choreographer 'Miss Jackie,' 68, Dies

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2007

TAMPA - Jackie Loto took on many roles during her life on the stage.

  Jackie Loto

The Tampa native founded her own dance studio more than 40 years ago, was a pioneer with the Gasparilla Coronation Ball and worked as a seamstress on Super Bowl costumes.

Loto died Saturday after battling cancer for two years. She was 68.

Despite her declining health, Loto enjoyed her frequent visits over the summer with young students at the dance studio she founded on West Cypress Street.

"I think it kept her going," said longtime friend Georgette Diaz.

Well-known throughout the community as a dance instructor and choreographer, "Miss Jackie" also was the first woman to direct the Gasparilla Coronation Ball, according to a 1975 Tampa Tribune article. Family members said she continued to direct the ball until recently.

Drawing from stories told to her since childhood, Loto spoke about how her grandparents reacted to the inaugural pirate festival in 1904.

"They saw a band of men wearing masks and riding through Tampa's dirt streets on horseback," she said. "My poor grandmother was scared to death. They had just arrived here from Spain and had no idea who Gasparilla Pirates were."

Loto's grandson, Michael Rodriguez, said he spent time recently recording his grandmother's remembrances.

The 25-year-old University of South Florida student said she inspired him to major in history.

"She would sit down and tell me of stories from her past," he said. "But she would say them in a way like they were movies."

Loto's father didn't approve of her dancing but eventually supported her decision and bought her studio's first record player, Rodriguez said.

In 1959, she founded Jackie's Dance Studio and Jazz Center in Tampa. Over the years, she taught hundreds of children and adults to dance.

"She has influenced so many people's lives," said longtime friend Dorene Collier, 43, of Tampa.

"It was more than just a dance studio. It was family."

Loto also choreographed local performances of productions such as "Kiss Me, Kate" and "Guys and Dolls." She helped out with numerous quinceaneras, coming-of-age celebrations for Hispanic girls turning 15.

A talented seamstress, Loto helped with costumes for the 1991 Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa.

She also found time to raise two children with her husband of 49 years, Joseph.

Diaz said she and Loto organized many charitable fashion shows in the past 15 years.

"She was amazing - a woman with boundless energy and full of compassion," Diaz said.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at jgeary@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-1505.

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