It is with enormous sadness that I share the news of the passing of
Jane Ann Pearce Baldwin on Thursday June 25, 2015.
Jane preceded me as Western’s Music Reference Librarian, and was
poised to return as the Director of the Music Library when she was
diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour (19 years ago). Remarkably,
she survived to see her daughter’s marriage, and the birth of her
granddaughter last year.
Jane excelled in so many areas of her professional life: flutist,
librarian, and scholar. As a mentor, she was responsible for
influencing a generation of librarians: at one notable Music Library
Association Meeting, four of us at the “First Time Attendees”
gathering realized that we were all there, because of Jane’s guidance
and influence.
The following has reached us from Lisa Rae Philpott (Western University, Canada):
Dear colleagues,
It is with enormous sadness that I share the news of the passing of
Jane Ann Pearce Baldwin on Thursday June 25, 2015.
Jane preceded me as Western’s Music Reference Librarian, and was
poised to return as the Director of the Music Library when she was
diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour (19 years ago). Remarkably,
she survived to see her daughter’s marriage, and the birth of her
granddaughter last year.
Jane excelled in so many areas of her professional life: flutist,
librarian, and scholar. As a mentor, she was responsible for
influencing a generation of librarians: at one notable Music Library
Association Meeting, four of us at the “First Time Attendees”
gathering realized that we were all there, because of Jane’s guidance
and influence.
In 1983 Jane was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue
research studies at King’s College, University of London, UK, and she
spent a memorable year working in the British Library on eighteenth
century afterpieces in London theatres. During this sojourn Jane and her
husband attended over one hundred concerts, often rushing through
dinner to make a quick trek to the concert hall.
As is frequently the case with highly-capable Music Librarians, Jane’s
talents took her away from Western’s Music Library, to serve a term as
Acting Systems Librarian, a term as Acting Head of Collections
Management, and later Head of Collections Management. She maintained
her formidable flute ‘chops’ performing as principal flute with the
London Community Orchestra, and in the pit for numerous operetta
productions given by the local G&S Society.
Her family has asked that I share this news with her colleagues – with
apologies for the duplication inherent in listservs.
Jane’s obituary was published here:
http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=891980
However, I see a typo in the email listed for condolences, here is the
correct information:
Condolences may be sent to her family at jbaldwinfamily@gmail.com, or
by mail to:
44 Chepstow Close, London, Ontario N6G 3S2.
With sadness,
Lisa
Lisa Rae Philpott
Music Reference, Collections and Instructional Librarian
Music Library – Western University
London, Ontario, CANADA