Tragedy strikes IRG Team

[Maggi Young]

It is my sad task to inform you that Joyce Carruthers, beloved partner of Zdenek Zvolanek of the IRG Team, has died in a car accident in Canada.

On 25th September Joyce, travelling alone in her car, (Zdenek Zvolanek having recently returned to Europe) was involved in a crash with a pick-up truck and it is believed that Joyce was killed on impact.
The driver of the other vehicle was taken to hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.
 
Joyce, known as an "intercontinental plantswoman of rock garden crevice fame", had  been ZZ's partner for many years and they spent their time between their gardens in British Columbia and in the Czech Karst.
Not that there was all that much time for their own gardens when they were both in such demand around the world as Speakers and to advise and assist in the creation of so many rock and crevice gardens, whether for botanical institutions or private gardens.

ZZ is a founding member of the IRG Team and Joyce was, as ever, his helpmeet in this venture. She assisted him with sub-editing and translation work and contributed her own thoughts to IRG, both in the “Reports from the Beauty Slope”, the story of their Czech garden and has supplied further material for future issues of IRG- we hope these will stand as a tribute to her.

Joyce was known across the world… a fine example of an International Rock Gardener, if ever there was one.  She had her family in Canada and also connections in Wales and moved easily around the world, spreading her passion for our kind of gardening and kindling that same enthusiasm in others.

This tragic loss of Joyce is a terrible blow to her family and her many friends and especially to ZZ whose love and respect for Joyce was matchless.   They made a terrific pair and we can only imagine the grief for ZZ and the family at this sad time.
We send our fondest condolences and deep regrets to all who loved Joyce.


Joyce Carruthers  in the Stara Planina Mountains, Bulgaria

[ichristie]

Dear Maggie we are devastated by this very sad news, we had such great hospitality and shared a mutual love of plants when we visited Joyce and Zdenek, we send our sincere condolences to the family, Ian the Christie Kind.

[David Nicholson]

My sincere condolences too.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Disaster strikes again in our Alpine world...

My sincere condolences to ZZ, family and friends.

[Lesley Cox]

Dear Maggi, I and I'm sure everyone on the Forum and throughout the world of alpine gardening, am horrified at this tragic news. While I didn't know Joyce at all except as a dedicated gardener, speaker and traveller and as ZZ's partner, her photo shows her to be the exact representation of the warm, intelligent and humorous person I might have expected as one with her fine reputation.

When ZZ is again able to rejoin the Forum and read our messages I hope he will know and believe that our love and sincere condolences go out to him and all his and Joyce's family.

[ranunculus]

Another very sad loss for our wonderful alpine brotherhood ... sincere condolences to dear ZZ and both families.

[fermi de Sousa]

Dear Maggi,
this is indeed tragic news; I so enjoyed meeting Joyce and ZZ at their garden during the Czech Rock Garden Conference. A terribly sad loss to the Rock gardening world.
My condolences to ZZ and to her family,
regards
fermi

[Maggi Young]

Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist on 9/30/2010

[Jiri Papousek]

I regret to hear such a bad news. Thanks to all for your kind words, ZZ is coming back from Montenegro on Sunday or Monday.

[mark smyth]

I have met ZZ and Joyce on many occasions and on my last trip to the Czech Republic I spent a lovely full day with them both at their home.

ZZ, sincere condolences go out to you and the family circles

[Maggi Young]

There is a "book" of condolence open for Joyce on the website of a Victoria newspaper where you can add your respects for the Family.... .....
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/can-victoria/guestbook.aspx?n=joyce-carruthers&pid=145730387&sort=1

[Michael J Campbell]

My sincere condolences to ZZ, family and friends. May God bless you and your family at this sad time.

Michael J Campbell.

[Casalima]

My sincerest condolences also to Joyce's family and friends.

[Ragged Robin]

My sincere condolences to ZZ and Joyce's family at this very sad and difficult time. What a fascinating life Joyce led with huge achievements in a world she loved and generously shared with others. A remarkable rock garden legacy.

[Kristl Walek]

Very, very sad news.
My thoughts go out to all who were nearest and dearest to her.