Mrs. Maude M. Bailey

RETIRED TEACHER AND MUSICIAN Maude M. Bailey of Acra passed away on December 12, 2014, at the age of 94 after a number of years in retirement from teaching in the Cairo Central High School. Born October 18, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Zatella Barrus McIsaac and Robert Milton McIsaac, formerly of Port Washington, NY. Mrs. Bailey’s early years were spent in Port Washington, and then in the 1930’s, Ithaca, NY, became her home. She graduated from Ithaca Senior High, earning a N.Y.S. Regents Scholarship for four years of college. Her early musical interests were furthered at Ithaca College, where she majored in violin in the Instrumental Music Program, playing first violin in the Symphony Orchestra and clarinet in the Concert Band for four years. During her senior year she held the position of concertmistress in that orchestra. Maude was a member of the National Professional Fraternity for Women, Sigma Alpha Iota, and was president of the Epsilon Chapter in her senior year. She also was a member of the Honor Society Oracle, serving as secretary. In December of 1942, on the accelerated plan due to World War II, she graduated Cum Laude from Ithaca College with a B. S. in Music Education. She was named in the 1943 “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges”. Her teaching career began in 1943 in Fayetteville, NY, where she taught instrumental music and directed the school band for three years. Mrs. Bailey also taught music at the Ithaca Junior High School. On August 7, 1944, she was married to Earl H. Bailey, of Hinsdale, NH, also an Ithaca College music graduate. Following his completion of military duty in the war years, they moved to Madison, NY, in 1946, where her husband became instrumental music supervisor and band director, and Mrs. Bailey worked as secretary to the principal. While living in Madison, she was a member of the Oneida Silver Company orchestra playing 1st Violin and 1st Clarinet in the band. In 1949, they moved to Cairo, NY, where Mr. Bailey started the instrumental music program and band in Cairo Central School. Their two sons were born in subsequent years. In the late 1950’s, Mrs. Bailey taught vocal music for a year in Cairo, then pursued her graduate work in English at Albany State and began teaching English in Cairo Senior High School. For several years, she also directed the Boys’ Glee Club. She was awarded a grant to attend the Institute in English for Secondary Teachers at the State College of Education in Albany, and continued teaching English to ninth and tenth grade students until retiring in June, 1974. Maude’s lifelong interests in music, Siberian Huskies, gardening, and enjoying a family camp in the Adirondacks kept her busy during retirement. Maude was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Earl H. Bailey, retired band director and Cairo Central School administrator. She is survived by her two sons, Robert E. Bailey (Marianne), of Glenville, NY, and Loren T. Bailey (Janet), of Stanley, NC, as well as granddaughters Allison Bailey of Enfield, CT, Meredith Bailey (Michael MacLeod) of New Bedford, MA, and Erin Bailey Meyer (Michael) of Charlotte, NC. Other survivors include her brother, Dr. Robert J. McIsaac (Carol), of Amherst, NY, as well as a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Maude was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Paul R. McIsaac (Lou), of Ithaca, NY. At the request of the family, there will be no public funeral or services. Burial in the Round Top Cemetery will be private. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.

Mrs. Maude M. Bailey

October 18, 1920 - December 12, 2014