Several have commented on a post from katlaughing of a piece by Jean that included her feelings about passing on. . . . I have not been able to locate that post. Can someone help?

I met Jean (and Jon, Peter, George) my first year at Pinewoods Camp, 1965 -- 44 + years ago. Jon sang Lord Bateman that summer (I think Jon was 7). At the line about "Lord Bateman banged his fist on the table", Jon did exactly that, and then quite lost it and started laughing. Funny the things you remember.

The Pinewoods Folk Club has held an annual picnic at the home of Jean and George for many of the past 40 years, such gracious hosting, and such receptiveness to all the singers, the good, the bad, the. . . well you get it.

My dear friend and colleague, Jack Langstaff claimed to have influenced Country Dance and Song Society (then housed in New York) to present Jean in her first public concert (1949 I think) before she and George were married. I was privileged to work with Jean in a couple of the Christmas Revels productions. . . I think one in Cambridge and one in New York. It is a long time.

Jean never had a trace of condescension, though she knew very well what was routine stuff and what was real quality. She understood I think that the tradition goes on because of all of it, the good, the. . . . etc. It all feeds in, and no one can determine what the tradition will keep. . . None of us can really judge it (though we all do) as it is passing by.

I am sure I will always treasure most from Jean's recordings the two LPs of Ritchie Family Child Ballads from the 1950s (Folkways originally) . . . fabulous singing, fabulous material, . . . and yes, they are still available on CD, check with George and Jon. If you don't have these recordings, and you treasure the tradition, I think they are absolutely essential.

Clarice and I are sending all possible good thoughts and vibrations for a full and speedy recovery.

"Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid,
Star in the East the horizon adorning,
Dawn where our infant redeemer is laid."

Learned from Jean and appropriate to the season.
Jerry