88-Year-Old Grandma Can’t Stop Grooving to Motown Classics – and It’s Pure Joy!
88-year-old Ester Feole has been in an American nursing home for several months. On YouTube, however, “Dancing Nana” is famous.
Granddaughter Chelsey Feole was amazed when she picked up her grandmother for dinner: to the sound of “Runaround Sue”, turned up full volume, the 88-year-old danced her way to the car. “She brings the house to life, she's such a cheeky, funky grandma,” swarms Chelsey. Her grandma is clearly enjoying it too: ”I could dance all f*** day!”
A few months ago, her granddaughter uploaded several videos of “Dancing Nana” to the internet. The videos have since received almost four million views, and the success story shows no sign of ending.
Dancing Nana became an internet sensation with over 17,000 followers on YouTube and 16,000 on Facebook. She even caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited her and her granddaughter Chelsea to a recording of the popular Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Sadly, Nana passed away in August 2016. Her granddaughter Chelsea paid tribute to the incredible woman who brought so much joy to all around her with a Facebook tribute.
“Fans of “Dancing Nana”…. I am so sorry it’s been so long since my last post. My heart is broken this morning as I let you all know that Nana passed away last night. She went peacefully in her sleep, as we all prayed she would. As some here know, in her final years, Nana suffered severe dementia and was living in a nursing home where she could receive extensive care and the attention that she needed. Nana was moved into her nursing home just 3 days before her YouTube video went viral. As much as I wanted to keep you all in the loop about Nana’s endeavors and adventures after “Dancing Nana” went viral, I also wanted to secure her privacy and avoid exploiting her to the public given her illness. Even if Nana didn’t fully understand what was happening to her body, I want you all to know, her viral video brought more joy to our family’s lives than you’ll even know. More importantly, her video brought laugher and hope to millions around the world- and that is something Nana would have been most proud of. The memories I have from the day we went to Ellen DeGeneres will be treasured every day, for the rest of my life. Dementia or Alzheimer’s often rips the souls out our loved ones, but I can assure you first hand, Nana was full of life, ecstasy, and bliss while were at Ellen on that day. Thank you to you all for your love and support over the last few years. Nana was the most special person in my life, and I am honored that you all got to share a little piece of her with me. Remember, if life’s journey seems like an upward battle, Nana taught us all to dance through the pain and laugh through our fears. “
