Honoring Those Who Shared our Passion
Dr. Betty Lou Marchant
September 16, 2016. Betty was a physician, a medical illustrator and a devoted botanical artist from Old Bridge, New Jersey. Betty was an active member of the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators. She was planning to attend the ASBA conference, as she usually did annually, when a car accident took her life. Betty was a kind and thoughtful woman who will be missed by all who knew her.
Susan Lefkowitz
February 2016. Susan derived great pleasure and satisfaction from her study of botanical art. She had just received her Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration in 2015 from The New York Botanical Garden. Susan loved her beautiful garden and its special plantings in Piscataway, NJ. Her husband Arthur hopes that her grandchildren will someday display Susan's lovely artwork in their homes.
Geraldine Dell
October 9, 2013, Cockeysville, Maryland. A fine botanical artist and longtime supporter of ASBA, Geraldine was an extraordinary woman who was actively involved with Stevenson University, Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs, and Music in the Valley Concert Series among many others. Her husband Sam said that during her suffering from cancer, Geraldine was buoyed up by her love of botanical art and painted until the end. This always smiling, positive and amazing person will be remembered fondly and sorely missed by all who knew her.
Barbara Papamarcos
of Barrington, IL was an avid gardener and botanical artist. She was a member of the Nature Artist’s Guild at Morton Arboretum and the Reed Turner Art Group. Barbara was a member of the 2012 Chicago Annual Meeting committee. December 28, 2013.
Dr. Lucylee Chiles
of New York, NY was an artist with a doctorate in art education. Her multifaceted career included designing for Hallmark Cards and teaching art around the world. She was a member of the International House community in Manhattan. December 23, 2013.
Roy Lewis Taylor, Ph.D.
1932-2013
A Native of Alberta, Canada, Roy Taylor was a gifted leader, visionary botanist and horticulturalist – and was a collector of botanical art. Roy Taylor received his Ph.D. in Botany at UC/Berkeley. From 1968 – 1985, Roy served as Director of the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden. From 1985-1994, Roy held the positions of CEO and President of the Chicago Horticultural Society and Director of the Chicago Botanic Garden. In 1994, he returned to California to direct the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden from whence he retired in 1999. Roy served on the ASBA Board of Directors 1997 - 2003.
Kazunori Kurokawa
1936-2012
ASBA Honorary Director
ASBA was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Kazunori Kurakawa after a long illness. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Kurokawa, while on business trips as director of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings visited museums and galleries in Europe and US viewing and collecting botanical art. In 1983, Mr. Kurokawa attended the 5th International Exhibition at Hunt Institute and every one until the 11th, forming a collegial relationship with Mr. James White, late Curator of Art at Hunt. He attended the first through 10th ASBA conferences, introducing members to Japanese botanical art through lectures such as “Historic and Cultural Background of Development of Botanical Art in Japan” and “Contemporary Botanical Artists of Japan.” Mrs. Sumiko Kurokawa shared these personal goals of her husband: To introduce great botanical art from Japan to the world, to create a map of botanical art and artists in Japan and to discuss with botanical art lovers what superior art is, and motivate instructors to develop themselves to a higher level of art.
Wendy Alexandra Page
of Horsham, West Sussex, UK passed away August 22, 2012. We extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Sally Papoulas
Sally Papoulas passed away on July 10, 2012 in Hackettstown, NJ. Sally is described as a true renaissance woman, who loved family, people, piano and travel - and botanical art. An ASBA member since 1999, Sally's work was included in the 6th Annual International in 2003.
Christina Davis
1942-2012
Christina Davis passed away on May 8, 2012 after a three-year long battle with ovarian cancer. Chris was one of the first members of ASBA, serving as its secretary in its early years. Born and raised in Long Island, she graduated from CW Post College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. A member of the Art Students League of New York, graduate of the NYBG botanical illustration program, fellow of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Florilegium Society, and member of the National Association of Women Artists, she was a recent recipient of their prestigious Artists Bell Crammer Award. Her artworks are found in personal and public collections around the world. Recently, Christina Davis Art Works, a Generational Legacy, was published. Chris was a talented and enthusiastic artist, producing almost 100 paintings in the last three years. We will miss her wonderful smile, delicious sense of humor and great ideas. She was a woman of many gifts who has been taken away from us much too soon. (TBA - June 2012 Issue)
Mary Grierson
Mary Grierson, Society of Botanical Artists, England, has died at age 99. For many years she was the Official Artist at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and has a worldwide reputation for her art.
(TBA - March 2012 Issue)
Ann Bennett
We have received word from the family of Ann Bennett that she passed away in early September. Ann was a member of ASBA since 2005 and lived in South Portland, ME. (TBA - March 2012 Issue)
