Audrey-Beth Fitch: Historian Dies In Childbirth
At age 10, Audrey-Beth Fitch was using her father's library card to check out books in Calgary, Alberta.
Her children's card was useless if she was going to read in-depth accounts of Scottish history and the dynamics of clan-based society.
Even at that age, she was telling everyone that she was destined to be a Scottish historian. And after years of rigorous schooling in Calgary and Scotland, Dr. Fitch would accomplish her goal and teach history at California University of Pennsylvania.
But her life was cut short Saturday when she died of labor complications while giving birth. She was 43.
"She knew she wanted to be a historian," said Kathy Fitch, her sister. "She was just one of those dynamic people who knew what they wanted to do."
Dr. Fitch spent years in libraries in several countries researching and reading obscure histories of 15th-century Scottish laity and tracing Scottish Presbyterian behavior.
Her grandmother and great aunt were a source of much of the academic curiosity. Both women were pioneers from Scotland who immigrated to Canada.
"Beth had an intensity for her subject and a passion that did not waver," said Dr. Sean Madden, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts at California University.
It was Dr. Fitch's background in a wide array of disciplines that allowed her to float with grace in the classroom as if directing a play, Dr. Madden said. She would use techniques from drama classes to incite student reaction.
...
Dr. Fitch pioneered or played a leading role in many of the history department's efforts to reshape curriculum and attract students.
Recently, Dr. Fitch was organizing a women's studies conference that would feature the granddaughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela. The conference will go on, carrying Dr. Fitch's name.
...
Donations can be sent to the Audrey-Beth Fitch Scholarship Fund, California University of Pennsylvania, California Foundation, California, PA 15419.
Her children's card was useless if she was going to read in-depth accounts of Scottish history and the dynamics of clan-based society.
Even at that age, she was telling everyone that she was destined to be a Scottish historian. And after years of rigorous schooling in Calgary and Scotland, Dr. Fitch would accomplish her goal and teach history at California University of Pennsylvania.
But her life was cut short Saturday when she died of labor complications while giving birth. She was 43.
"She knew she wanted to be a historian," said Kathy Fitch, her sister. "She was just one of those dynamic people who knew what they wanted to do."
Dr. Fitch spent years in libraries in several countries researching and reading obscure histories of 15th-century Scottish laity and tracing Scottish Presbyterian behavior.
Her grandmother and great aunt were a source of much of the academic curiosity. Both women were pioneers from Scotland who immigrated to Canada.
"Beth had an intensity for her subject and a passion that did not waver," said Dr. Sean Madden, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts at California University.
It was Dr. Fitch's background in a wide array of disciplines that allowed her to float with grace in the classroom as if directing a play, Dr. Madden said. She would use techniques from drama classes to incite student reaction.
...
Dr. Fitch pioneered or played a leading role in many of the history department's efforts to reshape curriculum and attract students.
Recently, Dr. Fitch was organizing a women's studies conference that would feature the granddaughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela. The conference will go on, carrying Dr. Fitch's name.
...
Donations can be sent to the Audrey-Beth Fitch Scholarship Fund, California University of Pennsylvania, California Foundation, California, PA 15419.