Gerry,
The In Memoriam listing in the AIS Bulletin Irises always lists all
deceased members reported to Tom Gormley, our Membership Secretary. So we always
have a quarterly report of deceased members as reported. Occasionally
when a member dies in a nursing home (or their membership has lapsed) we don't
find out for a year or more, i.e. Archie Owen, Emma Hobbs, etc.
I attended the wake last week of Melody Wilhoit in Kansas, IL. She was
only 66. She, as well as husband Jerry, was born, raised and lived her whole
life in Kansas, a farming community town of 800 people. Jean and I were
the only iris people there but half the town must have turned out as it took
about 30 minutes in line to reach Jerry. In a subdued way it was sort of
like being in line for a rock concert but without the crazies. We also
reconnected with their two sons Jason and Justin who had been AIS youth
members. I will miss Melody's easy smile and friendship.
Jim Morris
President
American Iris Society