A Tribute to Margaret Church.
In 1987, a most remarkable woman became my next door neighbour. My first introduction to this inspiring lady was when 4 cubic feet of compost was deposited in her laneway and the neighbourhood witnessed her single-handedly carrying it to her magical garden – wheel barrowful by wheel barrowful! Her determination to complete tasks was only trumped by her ability to design and imagine new garden beds. Her garden was filled to overflowing with collections of clematis, peonies, primulas, poppies, and roses.
This special woman taught me that gardening was a social process – she always had a gardening story to tell, she was always ready to share a cutting, and she never failed to serve a cup of hot tea. Her kitchen table was piled with garden reference books and many meals were sacrificed to spend time pouring through the texts, gleaning new information. She became a Master Gardener and was thrilled when she learned creative techniques for creating her garden. Her hours of volunteer service were spent nurturing and teaching, not only the public – but her fellow master gardeners and neighbours.
She loved her garden. A unique fragrance, brand-new plant, fresh colour, texture or serendipitous combination of plants would warrant a phone call of “Come look and see.” For her, every day was a new day filled with the pleasures of gardening, feeding the birds, and watching her magical garden transform itself from season to season.
Paradise was jarred, however, when she received a fatal diagnosis. She embraced the challenge of her last years on earth though with the same attributes that she gave to her gardening practices: courage, imagination, and the resolve to be the best she could be.
At her memorial service, many of her close friends wore a string of pearls – an adornment that she was never without – either inside or outside the garden. Garden songs were sung and she was remembered for her generosity, tenaciousness, and graciousness. Before she made her transition, I promised her that when I retired, I would become a Master Gardener like her. During classes this winter, I felt her spirit in the room, making me proud to follow in her footsteps.
So, dearest Margaret – I salute you for the many lessons that you taught me about life and gardening. You were, and continue to be an inspiration, and I will remember and honour you throughout my gardening journey. You taught me the lesson of embracing community, friends, and family through the lens of a garden. I will always be grateful for your ability to garden from the heart.
Jan Miko
Master Gardener in Training, Vancouver Chapter
