Beatrice Kane McLain died April 3, 2004, in Tuscaloosa, AL, at age 98. An international folklorist, dance leader & educator, "Bicky" concluded her academic career as Director of the Center for Southern Regional Folklife Studies and Foreign Student Advisor at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (1966-1976), where her husband, Raymond Francis McLain, was Dean of International Programs and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
At the American
University in Cairo, Egypt, Raymond was
President and Bicky was Dean of Students (1953-1963). She helped
Raymond as he was President of Transylvania University,
Lexington, KY and Eureka College, Eureka, IL. Bicky was an
active member of the Country Dance and Song Society, the
English Folk Dance and Song Society, and the International
Folk Music Council, as well as 50+ year staff member of the
Berea College Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, KY.
She also traveled with the McLain Family Band for much of 12
years.
Beatrice is
preceded by her husband, Raymond F. McLain, and her son,
Raymond K. McLain. Survivors include her daughter, Rosemary
McLain Ware, singer/songwriter and artistic pioneer in the
rubber stamping industry, and 9 grandchildren. Donations may be sent in her honor to the Berea
Christmas Country Dance School, Scholarship
Fund, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404.
Lexington Herald-Leader article Notes from students & friends A Memorial Concert was held by the McLain Family Band in Berea, KY, December, 2004, during Christmas Country Dance School. Click on the pictures below to see them larger. Use back arrow to return.
Eriskay Love Lilt
as sung by Bicky Note from John
Bealle: "...It is impossible to overstate how remarkable
she was during her time at the University of Alabama. There was
no one remotely like her, and she had a profound influence on
all those with whom she came in contact. I know all of her
students feel that way." 4/12/04 Note from Joseph Goodwin: "...Mrs. McLain is largely responsible for my various careers. At her encouragement, I went to Indiana University and earned my master's and Ph.D. degrees. And although teaching was never my full-time vocation, I've remained a folklorist throughout the years and stayed active in the American Folklore Society. My skills that I began developing under her guidance still serve me every day." 4/13/04
Note from Debbie Boykin: "...I want you to know how
grateful I am to have known her and to have been a small part of
her remarkable life.
As a freshman on campus, I wandered
into her office because I was intrigued by the sign on the
door -- and by the idea that someone was studying Southern
folklife. My life was never the same. Not only was she a
challenging, rigorous teacher, but she took the time know me
as a human being as well as a student. She was also the
first person who encouraged me to play music with other
people, giving me one of the great pleasures of my life.
She also opened the door to a
career that I love. After working in tribal education for
several years, I went to work with the Mississippi Arts
Commission as state folklorist, a job I held for seven
years. I've had the opportunity to work on the National
Folk Festival, the Festival of American Folklife and served
on committees for the American Folklife Center at Library of
Congress and the Fund for Folk Culture. Even better, I've
done fieldwork with and presented craftspeople and musicians
around the southeast and spent the past twenty years writing
"folklorist" in the occupation box when I file my taxes.
None of this would be the case had I not walked in that
little frame house at the University and met your
grandmother.
The last time I saw you all, the
band was playing here in Philadelphia. It was always
such a pleasure to see all of you and to see how much you
enjoyed each other. That's the other thing -- not only
did I learn from your grandparents academically, I learned
from them about family and about finding and following one's
passion in life. How lucky they were to have had each other
and how lucky I was I know them -- and all of you.
Please know that I am so sorry for
your loss. Mrs. McLain was a truly remarkable woman and I
will always be grateful for her influence."
Note from McGehee: "We
belatedly learned of Bicky's death. It brought both great
sadness and a great gush of Bicky memories which several of us,
mostly from Alabama days, exchanged with joy...like the time she
smilingly and engagedly served a reception at One Dearing Place
after spilling hot grease down her chest and didn't tell anyone
about it until the reception ended, at which time she was taken
to the hospital and treated for burns. She was an absolute
treasure, a fitting companion to the greatest man I ever knew. I
should probably say that I miss them both very much, but I
really and truly don't because they are have been real to me
and inspirations to me for years and years even after Raymond
was dead and Bicky was far away in Tuscaloosa. In fact, there
has never been a family like the McLain Family. (I listened to
the band playing Appalachian folk dance music on a CD the very
day that Bicky died, as if guided invisible to play it that
day.)All of you have my love and gratitude--and by envy for your
heritage."
Contact: Ruth McLain Smith
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