Sad news from Alaska

[Maggi Young]

Very sad news of the death of Verna Pratt in Alaska.
Jaime Rodriguez writes :
" A great botanical light of Alaska has gone out. My mentor and dear friend Verna Pratt died this evening. I feel so privileged to have known her, and learned from her, and strive to be more like her. So kind, generous, and knowledgeable. I imagine her husband Frank greeting her on a sunny, flowery mountain trail. He's been waiting there for her."

Verna - and her late husband Frank - were well known and greatly respected by SRGC members- they gave great talks  around the world and had  lead many people on amazing hikes to see the wildflowers of Alaska.   She will be much missed by many friends around the world.

[Maggi Young]

For those who don't know much about Verna and Frank Pratt... here are a few links to give you some idea of their  contribution to Alaska and the world of nature 
http://alaskawomenshalloffame.org/alumnae/name/verna-pratt/
https://thealaskarange.com/tag/verna-pratt/
http://aknps.org/History.php
http://anchorageparkfoundation.org/2012/07/1103/

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"In early 1982, a group of  35 native plant enthusiasts met and discussed forming an Alaska Native Plant Society. By March,  the Constitution and By-Laws were drawn up and spring meetings and summer field trips were planned. Verna Pratt served as the first President and Frank Pratt was editor of the newsletter, the Borealis. The early members chose Linnaea borealis, Twin Flower, as their emblem and had a sticker and sew-on-patches made. Invitations to join the group were extended to the public and the response was overwhelming. "    and the rest is history, as they say!

[Maggi Young]

Here is a link to Bobby J. Ward's obit. for Verna on the NARGS site :

https://nargs.org/news/2017-01-10/verna-pratt-obituary

- there are so many  people even outside family and friends who mourn the loss of Verna.