Dear Friends,
It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of one of our best Northwest members, Kathy Leonardi of Ferndale. For those of you who knew her and those who did not I wish to tell you about her. Kathy joined ADS in 1978. She was a strong force in devleoping the Northern California Daffodil Society. She became an accredited ADS Judge and taught at many of our Judging Schools to prepare those in this part of the country to become excellent judges. Kathy was well known in the horticultural world. In 1985 she completed the Gardening Study School in Humboldt County. “She served as President of the Ferndale Garden Club and Director of the Humboldt District of California Garden Clubs, Inc., (CGCI) during the 1980’s she was elected to the executive board of the CGCI and served as Financial Secretary and Treasurer for a total of 8 years. She was a life member and named the Flower Arranger of the year.” Her arrangements at the Fortuna Daffodil Show were creative, artistic and inventive. “As an avid gardener she provided massive displays for the Humboldt County Fair and entered beautiful floral designs. Judging flower shows took her all over the world. She was a National Garden Club Flower Show Judge and an American Rose Society Judge” Kathy was a mentor to many with her warm and cheerful way of showing them the artistic elements of a flower. She was by far the best Daffocil grower and judge I have met and I truly loved her work.
Nancy R. Wilson, quotes by one of the CGCI Members.
Cards can be sent to: The Leonardi Family at 1291 Waddington Rd., Ferndale, Ca 95536-9788
Nancy,
Thank you for your lovely thoughts and information about Kathy Leonardi. Kathy was a ray of sunshine, especially when she walked into a room full of daffodils. She was a wonderful teacher and continued to mentor many of us with kindness and that blindingly bright smile. Ben and I enjoyed sitting with Kathy at annual Saturday evening dinners and were fascinated with her stories. That is because Kathy was a fascinating person!
Kathy was a war-bride and arrived in the States without being able to speak a word of English. Ferndale, where she lived, has quite a large dairy industry and despite what we have all been told, Kathy used fresh manure for her daffodils – award winners every time!
It is heartbreaking to lose yet another daffodil treasure on the West Coast.
Nancy T.