SAI Member Celebrates her 104th Birthday!
Lela Putney, a 79-year member of Sigma Alpha Iota and affiliated with the Denver and St. Louis Alumnae Chapters, celebrated her 104th birthday on March 2, 2008. Members of Denver Alumnae Chapter, with the assistance of Lela's daughter, Mary Marjorie Fast, staged a birthday party for Lela on March 1 at her residence in Englewood, Colorado. Mary Marjorie beautifully decorated the party room with balloons, candles and bouquets of flowers, many sent from friends a family.

Ten Denver alums joined Lela's friends and family to honor and greet her and sing a variety of SAI songs. Donita Banks sang The Rose Song (Hoffman and Boyer) as roses were presented to Lela and Mary Marjorie, who was born on her mother's birthday. Donita and Dee Netzel played Variations on The Birthday Song for one piano, four hands, by Mary Sallee, who wrote her delightful composition for SAI in 2003. Other presentations to Lela included a 50-year SAI membership pin, compliments of Ruth Sieber Johnson, and a large, colorful, handmade card created by Donita, which was signed by many members of the chapter. A beautiful cake was the centerpiece of the refreshment table.

Born Lela Marie Bunte in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904, Lela married Elmore M. Putney in 1927. They had five children. Lela's surviving children are Marie Niedringhaus of St. Louis, Missouri, Charles Louis Putney, Sr., of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Mary Marjorie Fast of Castle Rock, Colorado. Lela has eleven grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

A pianist and singer, Lela graduated from Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Missouri, and did further study at the Jordan Conservatory, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, where she was initiated into Zeta Chapter in 1929. When Kappa Province was formed in 1947, Lela became its first President. She was instrumental in organizing the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter and was International Music Fund Chairman from 1962-1968. Lela was a National Convention Honoree when that event was held in Denver in 1997. She holds the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor and the Ring of Excellence.

Lela's lively wit, gracious manner and love of life SAI continue to inspire members of Denver Alumnae Chapter and SAI sisters everywhere and endear her to her family and many, many friends. SAI is fortunate to count Lela as a loyal member, and she considers it a privilege to be a part of our great fraternity!

Sigma Alpha Iota is an International Music Fraternity, founded in 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music. SAI provides musical and educational resources to its members and the general public through its 212 college chapters, 120 alumnae chapters, 1 international chapter and 107,902 total initiated members. Currently, there are 5,153 college members and 3,136 alumnae and patroness members who are actively involved in the fraternity.

Page last updated 8/21/08.
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