Lifelong Las Vegan Van Buren kept dancing until her death at 79

Lee Scrivner

Friday, Aug. 18, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

Chloe Van Buren danced, from her childhood to her later years.

A lifelong resident of the city, she used to dance at Las Vegas High School assemblies in the 1930s. And she tap-danced in the hospital just before her death.

Chloe Inez Van Buren, former owner of Van Buren and Cox Jewelers, died Tuesday at her hame in Las Vegas. She was 79.

Tap-dancing fit her personality, said her daughter, Karen McNeel. She was an active member of the Golden Tappers, a dance group at the Las Vegas Senior Citizen's Center.

Van Buren remained an extraordinarily active woman for her age.

"She played tennis at the Desert Inn Country Club, where she was instructed by Marty Hennessy, who once instructed Andre Agassi, McNeel said.

"She even competed in patrons leagues and won tennis trophies in her later years. She also played golf and flew airplanes."

Van Buren also found time to raise four children and remain active in the Las Vegas community. She was a member of the Junior League when it was called the Service League, before it became associated with a national group.

Van Buren was born on March 4, 1921 in Las Vegas.

In addition to McNeel, Van Buren is survived by two other daughters, Marilyn Thornell and Ellen Mirti, both of Las Vegas; one son, Alan Van Buren of Cedar City, Utah; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services were scheduled at noon today at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., followed by burial in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

The family suggests donations to Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.