Dr. Zita Dapkus Dabars (83) passed away November 10, 2021 at her home in Baltimore, MD. Born in 1938 in Riga, Latvia, Dr. Dabars' family fled Latvia during her childhood, lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany before making their way to the United States to become U.S. citizens.

She is preceded in death by her parents Helen and Aleksandrs Dapkus and her sister Ingrida Biruta McDonald. Dr. Dabars graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Indianapolis, Indiana Class of 1956 and Indiana University (Bloomington) in 1971. She spent over 40 years as a teacher and enthusiastic advocate of Russian language and culture. Dr. Dabars taught at Friends School, Baltimore for 32 years (1975-2007).

She held several different board positions with the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) (1982 to 1995) and Center of Russian Language and Culture (CORLAC) (1985- 2007). Dr. Dabars was instrumental in igniting the American/Russian student exchange. She co-collaborated on a series of pre-college textbooks and resources for instruction in Russian language, was co-author of: Russian Way: Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes, and Customs of the Russians and Russian Face to Face, Level Two: A Communicative Program in Contemporary Russian . Awards included the A.S. Pushkin award (1990) from ACTR's international umbrella organization, MAPRIAL, the Joe Malik Service Award, AATSEEL (1991), and the ACTR/ACCELS Distinguished Service Award (1997).

An avid cat lover, Dr. Dabars had cats all her adult life. Not only did she spend many hours at cat shelters petting orphaned cats, she often brought her cats to memory care facilities to share the comfort our furry companions provide.

Dr. Dabars will be missed by nieces Lyla Leigh and Laura McDonald, nephews Austin McDonald and Thomas McDonald, Jr., great nephews Graeme Rock and Tom McDonald III, and many friends and former colleagues.

At this time, no memorial service is planned. Her cremated remains will be inurned in Savannah, GA. Donations in memory of Dr. Dabars life and work can be made to ACTR Claire Walker Olympiada Fund.