The long and meaningful life path of the oldest member of the Baltic Heritage Network, Mai Raud-Pähn, has ended. Mai joined the organization during its early years as the leader of the Stockholm Estonian Archives Group. She was an honorary member of BaltHerNet since 2014.
Mai Raud-Pähn was born in Pärnu. She was able to become an elementary school teacher in Estonia and taught for three years. However, in the fall of 1944 she had to flee – first to Germany and later through Denmark to Sweden.
In Sweden, Mai held various positions before she was able to continue her studies in art. She studied calligraphy at night courses and later at the Drawing Teachers Institute. Following graduation, she was a drawing teacher in Visby. From 1959-1964, Mai studied art history, archaeology, ethnology and started researching silver handicraft with professor Sten Karling at the University of Stockholm. In 1972, she received her Licentiate Degree with her thesis „Silversmiths in Tallinn 1474-1659.“
In 1980, Mai began working at the office of the Association of Estonians in Sweden as a secretary. She became the Office Director in 1987, which she held until her retirement. From 1987-2014, she was the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Rahvuslik Kontakt (National Contact). Mai has been active in many organizations: the Swedish Estonian Association Board of Representatives, Estonian Association of Academic Women, Estonian Women Students’ Society, TRIINU, and the Society of Friends of the Estonian
National Museum. She was also a member and secretary of the active Estonian Scientific Society in Sweden.
Mai has been to many of the BaltHerNet summer schools and conferences, sharing her personal
memories with us and discussing the work of the Swedish Estonian Archives Group. She was also our primary assistant when we organized an info day about Estonian archives abroad at the Stockholm Estonian House in 2009.
Mai was a wonderful companion and a great role model from whom to learn the joy of life, dignity and human wisdom. Dear Mai, we are grateful for the time we spent with you! Rest in peace!