GARDEN CLUBS: Memories of Helen Reed

Two Garden Club friends of Helen Reed, who passed away March 28 at the age of 92, were kind enough to share their memories of her.
Sue Soraruf of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club writes, "When my husband and I moved to Kennett 40 years ago, Helen Reed welcomed us with a gift of several unusual plants. 40 years later, these plants still bloom in our home and I have given “babies” to other people. ... I remember Helen as most interested in encouraging gardening with young people. She was instrumental in initiating the category of junior gardener competition at the Longwood Flower Show and was active at the state level in junior gardening. It was her idea and effort that created a butterfly garden at the Anson Nixon Park. She was a past director of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, District 1, and a long-time member of the Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett."
Jane Bazzano of the Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square described Helen as her mentor and recalled her "youthful outlook and giving disposition." She writes, "Helen was a horticulturalist and Master Gardener, encouraging planting and the various avenues of nature to both young and old." Helen "helped a former Junior Gardener, Kathryn Cunningham Hall develop “Power Up Gambia,” which provides solar energy power a hospital in Gambia, Africa."