Irma Bailey, Longtime Peabody Friend, Dies

Irma Bailey, a long-time friend and supporter of the Peabody Museum, died in Albuquerque on January 9, 2012 from the effects of a sudden stroke. Irma, shown here with silversmith Cippy Crazy Horse, was 95 years old. Irma and her late husband Wayne began working with Indian artists in 1949, and promoted their work by staging shows at major museums across the country. Irma conducted an annual show and sale of Indian arts at the Peabody for more than thirty years, often bringing artists with her. She made a number of personal donations to the museum, and in 2011 she facilitated the donation of a large collection of southwestern and Northwest coast fetishes and carvings to the Peabody. Irma developed many friendships with both Harvard employees and Peabody customers, and will be remembered for her remarkable warmth, vitality and generosity of spirit.