JARS v64n1 - In Memoriam: Phyllis Meyers

In Memoriam: Phyllis Meyers
Mason-Dixon Chapter

The Mason-Dixon Chapter lost one of its most active members when Phyllis Meyers passed away on April 19, 2009. Along with her husband, Bill, Phyllis joined the American Rhododendron Society in 1998 and was a constant presence at society activities ever since. Her spirited bidding at the various chapter auctions always added a lively touch to the proceedings.

Phyllis and Bill played vital roles in the 2005 District 9 meeting hosted by the Mason-Dixon Chapter and in the 2006 ARS-ASA Convention in Rockville. She had served as the Mason-Dixon membership chairman and was the chapter treasurer at the time of her death. Phyllis and Bill were recipients of the ARS Bronze Medal in 2009. The Bowie Mill azalea 'Phyllis Jean' is named in her honor.

Phyllis was deeply involved in the Baltimore gardening community and was a member of many gardening societies and groups in addition to the ARS and the Azalea Society of America, including the Daffodil Society, the Horticultural Society of Maryland, and the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland. She served as a judge for the Maryland Daffodil Show and became a certified Federated Garden Club flower arranging judge and traveled around the region for several years judging flower shows. She was active on the board of the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens in Baltimore City and served as the chair of the Women's Committee for Historic Hampton Mansion, a National Historic Site north of Baltimore.

Phyllis received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and taught Licensed Practical Nursing students in Covington, Kentucky, before moving to Baltimore in the early 1960s. In addition to her husband, she left three sons and six grandchildren.