Sigma Alpha Iota

GRACE NOTES Lela Putney at her 2009 birthday party. Below, Lela following her Zeta initiation in 1929. Lela Marie Bunte Putney, 108, Passes Away in February L ela Bunte Putney influenced music and Sigma Alpha Iota for most of her life. As the oldest living SAI member (she was 108!), her inspiration touched several generations of sisters. When she was honored at the 1997 National Convention Dinner of Honors in Denver, it was acknowledged that she had served as the first Province President of the newly-formed Kappa Province in 1947. Valuable service to SAI continued as she stepped into the role of International Music Fund Chairman in 1962. At that time, the IMF carried out all of the Philanthropic work on behalf of SAI chapters and members that reached beyond Fraternity borders to the world at large. Examples of projects that flourished under her leadership, as found in the archival issues of PAN PIPES, include presentations of music scores and books to the National Institute for Music in Cairo, Egypt, the national orchestras of Iceland and Bolivia, and the National Conservatories of Morocco and Dominican Republic; the fostering of the Braille Transcription Project of IMF and the formation of the Bold Note Project; the merger of the Music Committee of the People-to-People Program and Sigma Alpha Iota; and the Music Therapy Scholarships. The IMF had extensive "abroad" programs 12 PAN PIPESSPRING 2013 sai-national.org and the variety went from providing resources for band instruments in Chiengmai, Thailand to the rebuilding of a symphony orchestra in Malaon-Laconias, Greece. The slogan of the SAI International Music Fund described it well — "Concern, Compassion and Constructive Action Made Visible." Not only did Lela Putney work tirelessly on the national and international scene, she endeared herself to the SAI alumnae chapters wherever she lived and created lasting friendships. A charter member of the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter, she then spent many years in Denver where she was a veritable institution. Denver alumnae members missed their visits with her after she moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina, but continued long-distance correspondence with regular updates from Lela's daughter, Mary Marjorie Fast. One of Lela's cherished possessions, a statue of Pan that resided in her garden in Denver, has made its way to SAI National Headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina via SAI Dee Netzel of Denver. As her garden Pan brings a reminder to celebrate the music in all things, the dear memories of a life well-lived remind us to honor the SAI legacy of Lela Bunte Putney.

• Cover