Sigma Alpha Iota

4 Summer 2023 • sai-national.org Grace Notes E lizabeth Whitmarsh Bean "Betsey" Fountain, who served as SAI's People-to-People Director from 1993-2003, passed away on March 29, 2023. e People-to-People project, sponsored by SAI Philanthropies, Inc., sends music, musical instruments, and music materials around the world to needy individuals and schools where such assistance is not available. A native of Washington, DC, and a member of the Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter, she was born April 16, 1932 to Dorothy May Wile Bean and Louis H. Bean of Arlington, VA. A talented musician, she graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington in 1950 and attended the University of Rochester (NY) where she met her future husband at a freshman mixer. She ultimately graduated with a B.A. degree in English. and subsequently earned a B.S. in music performance (piano) from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Betsey had a varied career as a secretary in industry, a YWCA worker, a public school and private piano teacher, and a diplomat, serving on temporary assignment with the US State Department. She travelled in Europe and Asia, as well as in the United States, and lived in such diverse places as Guam, Hawaii, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Norfolk (CT), and Washington (DC). Her musical activities included accompanying, solo performing, and serving as a Chamber Pianist performing member of the Friday Morning Music Club. She also sang with the Arlington Metropolitan Chorus, which performed a short work of hers in their December 1992 concert, and toured with the group in Russia, Italy, Spain, Australia (the Sydney Opera House), and New Zealand. She served as a board member and officer of her SAI chapter, the Friday Morning Music Club, and the Arlington Metropolitan Chorus. Following her husband's retirement from the Navy and private industry, the Fountains retired to their waterfront farm "Stillwater" in Westmoreland County, where Betsey continued her musical endeavors as sometime organist and choir member at St. James Episcopal Church. In the Summer of 1994, aer succeeding Ruth Sickafus as Director of the People-to-People Project and paying tribute to Ruth's long tenure in the position, (more than 30 years), Betsey observed: "It should not come as a surprise that the transition to the next People-to-People Project Director has taken some time ... it is noteworthy that since the last Pan Pipes report (spring 1993) materials have been sent to Botswana, Haiti, Hungary, Panama City, Poland, Romania, Zimbabwe and China." Ten years later as she was leaving the position in 2004, the SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board recognized Betsey for her years of dedication and outstanding service as Director by presenting her with the Rose of Honor. Betsey is survived by her husband of nearly 68 years, RADM Robert R. Fountain USN (Ret), now of Lake Ridge near Occoquan, and their four children and six grandchildren. Remembering Betsey Fountain People-to-People Director Betsey Fountain speaks People-to-People Director Betsey Fountain speaks at the 2003 National Convention in Michigan. at the 2003 National Convention in Michigan. People-to-People donation People-to-People donation and outreach efforts during Betsey's and outreach efforts during Betsey's tenure included, from left, Haiti, tenure included, from left, Haiti, the Western Caroline Islands, the Western Caroline Islands, Cameroon, and Columbia Cameroon, and Columbia & Honduras. & Honduras.

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