In Memoriam: Lillian "Boots" Reichart
Ray Smith

Longtime Mason-Dixon Chapter member Lillian "Boots: Reichart died on August 17, 2002, as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). A former director of the chapter, Boots and her husband Lou received the chapter's Bronze Medal in 1997.

Active in all of the chapter's activities, Boots, along with Lou, was the true mainstay of the Mason-Dixon booth for the Baltimore Home and Garden Show for many years. She designed the display and practically lived at the booth during the show. Together, she and her husband brought in more members to the American Rhododendron Society than anyone can ever know. In addition to their activities at the Garden Show booth, when people came to admire the Reichart's gardens they were told the many benefits of the ARS and were sure to go home with an application for membership as well as a rhododendron.

Boots will be greatly missed by rhododendron lovers in several chapters, most particularly by the Mason-Dixon Chapter. As one member put it, "Our chapter has lost a lovely flower, but God now has her in His garden."