In Memoriam: Sigrid Laxdall
Born in Blaine, Wash., in 1903, Sigrid Laxdall lived most of her life in the Birchwood neighborhood of Bellingham, Wash. Sigrid and her husband Daniel, members of the ARS, hybridized rhododendrons and grew orchids in a little greenhouse in their garden. They named their new varieties for family members. Two specimens were chosen for Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, the Seattle Chapter's test garden on Whidbey Island. Sigrid was singularly honored when she presented one of her rhododendrons to President Vigdis Finnabogadottir of Iceland during the president's visit to Blaine.