A strange thing happened to me today. You might remember my contest about Getting to Know Our Members, from earlier this summer. Barbara/chocolatemoose was one of the winners. I contacted her late in June about when was the best time to ship lilies to her cold Alaskan climate. She mailed me back with a mid September date, as she didn't want them to freeze. I sent them out as promised, but I never heard back.

It was strange that I didn't hear from her, but today received a letter from her friend, saying that she past away suddenly in early July. I was so sad and shocked by this. And I didn't know if any of you knew this. I hadn't seen or heard from her in months. But sometimes things happen in life that take us away from the things we love for a while, only for us to return later. I am so happy her friend sent me a letter. The bulbs will remain with her friend in memory of Barbara.

Her obituary is here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituari...

I wanted to say how much I loved Barbara and her cheery lily love here, on Cubits and also on DG. She was a wonderful woman who loved lilies and had a great passion for all kinds of them. May she walk through fields of lilies each day now. She is dearly missed.

I am so very sorry to hear this. We were all fond of Barbara and her expertise at pushing the limits with lilies. Tracey, your Pink Jazz is a perfect tribute to her.

What a touching story, Magnolialover. I was sad to read this even though I never had the chance to know Barbara here on the forum.

Your photo of 'Pink Jazz' is amazing.

Oh my gosh, Tracey!Thank you for letting us know.

So sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. I had the pleasure of talking with her in some C mails. I had a customer that bought irises in North Pole Alaska, and Barbara filled me in on the area there.

She sure did love her lilies, and went to great extremes at times to grow them successfully.

Barbara was such a pleasure to talk to on the threads, always pleasant, always cheering us on.

She will be missed. My prayers go out to the family.

It was such a shock to get that letter in the mail. She was quite young. I still am grateful to know why I hadn't heard from her. It was my first time ever mailing a package to Alaska. I thought perhaps a moose ate it on its way to Barbara's house. You all remember what critters she had out her back door. Made my critter troubles seem like nothing.

I do miss her. You could almost see a smile through her words.

I was just looking over her last Alaska Lilies Thread. She posted these just days before her passing. Thought I would also share her lilies. Those lovely Alaska colors she got on those orientals! All in such a challenging climate.
The thread "Lilies in North Pole, Alaska 2011" in Lilies forum

I remember Barbara talking about gardening with moose walking around. I've seen a moose up close and I just can't imagine. We complain about deer. But Barbara always talked laughingly about the moose.

I am so glad your bulbs will remain with Barbara's friend as a tribute to her, Tracey.

Deer you can scare away, if you sit out and watch for them all night before they start snacking on your lilies. The bears and the moose? Now that might be a whole other story. Not sure I'd try it.

I am shocked and saddened to hear about Barbara's passing. She and I are both winners of Tracey's contest last summer. She will be missed.

Oh this is such sad news, I always enjoyed her posts and photos. And yes, she was so young, scares me when folks around my age die.

Sad to hear.

I was so shocked to hear this. She was a lovely person and so close to us here in Anchorage. I have sent plants to a friend who also lives in North Pole. I am so very sorry she is gone.

Oh my gosh. This is aweful news and so sad. I too always enjoyed her posts about her garden and her lilies. I guess you never know when your time here will be up.

Here for a good time -not a long time ..She thought it was so funny that i was really having trouble working out how you grow lilies at the north pole -Live on in the lily blooms Barbara