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Oakville ballet dancer an inspiration to others by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Wednesday, December 18, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com She was beautiful inside and out and could light up a room with her smile. That is how family and friends are remembering Oakville's Mary Podgorski, 30, who died suddenly Dec. 1 due to a rare form of Group A streptococcal disease. Podgorski, a St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School graduate, had recently started working as an instructor at Oakville's new Barre Life Studio. She left work early Nov. 28 complaining of flulike symptoms. Over the next few days, her health deteriorated to the point where she was rushed to hospital early Sunday morning. She died shortly after. "It was a shock; it was devastating," said Edward Podgorski, Mary's father. "We're in the process of grieving. We do have the support of family and friends, which we appreciate." Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal said, on average, about 13 cases of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease are reported in Halton each year. The disease is usually linked to two deaths per year. According to Halton Region's website, streptococci bacteria usually lives harmlessly in throats and on the skin of many healthy people and is passed from person to person through close personal contact (sharing cutlery or bottles, etc.) with an infected person. Severe forms of the disease develop when the Mary Podgorski bacteria get into parts of the body where they are not usually, such as the blood, muscle or lungs. When this happens, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome can occur, which results in a rapid drop in blood pressure and the failure of organs, such as the kidney, liver and lungs. Severe Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease, such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, is exceedingly rare, affecting only one or two people per 100,000, per year. Edward described Podgorski as a wonderful daughter and a very loving person who was deeply dedicated to her passions of ballet and teaching. He said she was also dedicated to her three siblings David, 34, Gregory, 29, and Alicja, 32. Barbara Podgorski, Mary's mother, said her daughter was a happy child who had a love of life. As early as age three, Barbara recalled, her daughter had thanked Barbara for giving birth to her. It was also at age three Podgorski began lessons at the Oakville School of Dance -- and never looked back. Edward said his daughter was a bright student, but her first love was dance and the final moments of her school day usually saw her counting the seconds until she could leave and get to her dance lessons. After high school, Podgorski danced professionally for the Alberta Ballet Company, the Ontario Ballet Theatre, Les Grands Ballet Canadienne, and OMO Dance Company. She also attended the National Ballet School as a full-time student. More recently, Podgorski had danced in the Oakville School of Dance's production of The Nutcracker . "I was so proud of her. She was a beautiful, very musical dancer. We knew how much effort she put into it and her face just lit up when she was on stage," he said. "We enjoyed her enjoying her dance." Despite Podgorski's talent, experience and her appearance in principal dance roles, Barbara said her daughter was never a diva and was always happy to talk to and help younger dancers. "A lot of people came up to me and said she inspired them in dance, she inspired them in yoga, she inspired them in their professional goals," said Barbara. "Most people used the words `inspired' and `encouraged' when they talked about her." Podgorski's loss is also being felt at Barre Life Studio where she worked as a barre, yoga and Pilates instructor. Niki Corion, studio co-ordinator for Barre Life, said the outpouring of well wishes and support received since Podgorski's death speaks volumes to her character. "She was just the type of person who had a smile on her face all the time. She never complained, never showed if anything was bothering her," said Corion. "This tragedy has just really shocked all of us. She was just that person that would walk in the room and light up the room. She touched everyone in such a great way." Corion said many students have told her how Podgorski had a major impact on their lives by helping them stay in shape and giving them encouragement to keep going. "She was one of those people who just saw the best in her students," said Corion. "She was never negative." Barbara said Podgorski's funeral, which took place Dec. 6, attracted so many people a second room had to be opened at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home. 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