Remembering Bobby Ives: A Note from Director Emerita Pauleena MacDougall
We mourn the loss of our dear friend Bobby Ives (1930-2020). We remember her warmth, her friendliness, her style, and her cooking! Bobby was the hostess for many years of gatherings of anthropologists, folklorists and folk musicians, family and friends in their home in Veazie and later at their home in Bucksport.
She also, for many years, prepared lunches for the Board of Advisors of the Maine Folklife Center. Perhaps most importantly, I remember her enthusiasm as we traveled to PEI to visit the informants and members of the community that her husband and she had visited for many years collecting folk music and folklore.
Bobby accompanied Sandy on his many travels, whether for fieldwork, archival research or conferences. She always returned with little gifts for the Maine Folklife Center staff and students. And never forgot them at holidays.
Many students knew Bobby as well as they knew Sandy. She was every bit a part of Sandy’s legacy as he was and he acknowledged her help in an interview I did with him some years ago as someone who listened and responded to his work, making helpful suggestions when needed, and providing encouraging support always. She and their children accompanied Sandy on his many fieldwork trips to PEI.
My heart goes out to Sandy and Bobby’s children and their spouses, Sarah and David, Nate and Julie, and Stephen and Joyce. And to all the many students and friends they touch throughout their lives.
With affection,
Pauleena MacDougall