Longtime director of the Fort Griffin Fandangle and noted Albany dance instructor Marge Bray, 69, died Sunday, January 23 at her home after a brief battle with cancer.Bray, know to young and old alike as simply "Marge," was involved in the Fort Griffin Fandango her entire adult life having performed in the first production in 1938 while a high school student.She was the show's director the last 20 years, continuing to guide the outdoor historical production towards the popularity it now enjoys among visitors from across the state,the nation and many foreign countries.Bray continued to dance and perform in the Fandangle after high school and later became choreographer and assistant to Robert Nail, creator of the production. After Nail's death in 1968, Bray served as assistant director until being named the show director in 1974.She directed all six performances of the show each year, the annual membership sampler and numerous other special samplers, such as at the State Fair of Texas and for former President Lyndon Johnson.The only break she took from the Fandango was in 1992 after undergoing double hip replacement surgery. She quickly returned this past summer to direct what many people have said was one of the best Fandangle ever."The Fandango has really grown and become established during the time that Marge was the director, " said the Fandango board member toward Todd. "She has had a lot of changes to deal with the last 20 years but she dedicated so much of her time and talents to ensure that the Fandango would be able to continue."Bray was also the director of "The Nativity," a Christmas play also written by Robert Nail. The play was revived in 1991 by Bray and other interested parties after a 10 year lapse.She returned to the stage with"The nativity" in late 1992 despite undergoing hip surgery that summer.People who may not have been acquainted with Mrs. Bray through the Fandango or Nativity production may well have known her because of her many years if dance classes and end of the year recitals.She received a degree in Ballet theater from Columbus College in Columbia, Mo., and also earned a bachelor's of arts at the University of TexasShe started teaching ballet, tap and jazz dance in 1950 and continued until she became ill late last fall.Bray taught hundreds of children over the years, starting at age three and continuing through high school age."She touched so many people through the Fandango, Nativity and dance classes," said Todd. "There will be a big void to be filled. She will definitely be missed"Todd also credited her with the "rare gift of patience and diplomacy in all her dealings with people."Bray's assistant Fandango director Betsy Parsons echoed Todd's feelings.Marge had a way of making you feel that you could do whatever it was that she needed you to do. I saw her give a boost of self-confidence so many times to one of her students or a Fandango performer just when the needed it the most.She was Albany's First Lady" in 1974 by the local chapters of Beta Sigma Phi because of her many contributions to the community.The Chamber of Commerce also presented her with the prestigious cornerstone Award in 1974.Bray was a member of the Matthews memorial Presbyterian Church and theeZeta Tau Alpha carotid. She was a member of the Texas Ballet Association of Dance and Texas Dance master Association.Though she was born in Forney, she was a lifelong Albany resident except for a brief periods of time. She was born August 23m 1924 to the late John H. And Marguerite Sedwick, one of Albany;s pioneering families. She attended Albany schools and graduated in the Class of 1941. She was preceded in death by her first husband:Ray E. Key.