Louise Charlton
Louise Charlton was born in South Africa where she spent most of her childhood outdoors when her passion for nature, animals and plants began. She went to nursing school right after graduation and loved the nursing profession. Later she met and married Peter Charlton and they moved to England with their children. Louise continued nursing there until an unfortunate accident at work left her unable to continue.
Eventually the family moved to Toronto where Louise learned of the plight of African elephants. Poachers were slaughtering them for the ivory tusks. In her usual way, Louise plunged in and started the Kenyan Wildlife Fund. She contacted CEO’s , celebrities and socialites form all over North America. With Peter’s help she put on big fund-raising events and raised millions of dollars to help the villagers save the elephants.
All through her life, her interest for orchids never wavered. They travelled over three continents with her. Louise was especially fascinated with miniatures such as Den. cutherbersonii and neofinetias.
She was also a very accomplished artist and was commissioned to do oil painting of aircraft from WW1 and 2 interviewing the pilots who had flown them.
Louise joined FV Orchid Society around 2003 and spent endless hours raising money through our annual raffle. Even though the last few years she was unable to attend the meetings, Louise kept in touch with many members and continued to support the society. She passed away on October 23, 2019.
Many people have been impacted by knowing Louise and we will miss her so much.
Lynne Cassidy
In Memoriam to one of our long standing members and friend of the Fraser Valley Orchid Society – Lynne Cassidy.
Norm Young
It is with much sadness FVOS lifetime member Norman Young passed away. The FVOS extends our thoughts and condolences to the Young Family. Norman constructed and presented our lovely orchid library case in September 1986 in which we still use to this day at our monthly meetings. Our hearts and prayers are with your family and friends at this time of reflection.
Norm along with his wife Elsie was a founding member of FVOS. He was born in 1918 in Alberta. They travelled to Hawaii in 1979 with another couple who were interested in orchids. Upon returning home, they got a book on orchids and soon met Kay Smith who convinced them to join the FVOS.
Norm spent many hours silversmithing, faceting and lapidary work as well as being a rockhound. Norm and Elsie both loved orchids and grew many even in their condo in later years. Norm passed away in 2010 and Elsie now resides at Langley Lodge.
Dr. Eric A. Christenson
Dr. Eric A. Christenson passed away last week and the FVOS extends our warm sympathies to the Christenson family – our thoughts and condolences are with you.
He was notably one of the most well-informed taxonomist in the world. It is with great sadness the orchid community and the plant world has lost a treasure and a font of orchid wisdom. His jovial smile will be missed.
What is a Taxonomist – Dr. Eric A. Christenson (Google Video)
Dr. Christenson is a research taxonomist with strong interests in the Aeridinae (Sarcanthinae), neotropical floristics, and the conservation of horticultural plants. He authored a monograph of Phalaenopsis for the International Phalaenopsis Alliance (IPA) in 2001. He has done field work in both Guyana and French Guiana and authored the orchid treatment for the Vascular Flora of Central French Guiana. He is also actively assisting David Bennett of Lima, Peru, with a modern inventory of Peruvian orchids. To date they have published 800 illustrations as Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum, including more than 150 new distribution records and more than 100 new species from Peru. His bilingual florula Machu Picchu: Orchids was published in 2003. A prolific author of more than 300 publications, Dr. Christenson is known for his articles that attempt to bridge the gap between taxonomy and horticulture as well as his in-depth book reviews. He is a strong advocate for orchid conservation, particularly ex situ propagation, and actively works with commercial growers to that end.
Thank you to the UF/IFAS/Tropical Research and Education Center who authored, documented and posted this video on March 30, 2006. A Living Legacy will be cherished forever!
Gerald (Gerry) Suffolk
Gerry passed away on Sunday June 14 at Yucalta Lodge in Campbell River after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, on January 26 1942. He apprenticed as a shipwright there in the Midlands, and worked at ship building for several years, always loved working with wood. He loved to climb and hike and spent many weekends of his youth in North Wales climbing with friends. He loved sailing and he and a friend got to the Canary Islands where they hired on to a 42 foot boat and crossed the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal and up the coast to the San Juan Islands.
He eventually came to Canada in 1973, moving to Vancouver Island in 1976. He enjoyed boating, skiing, hiking, golf, curling, and for the last 20 years growing orchids. He was also an extremely good photographer and was seldom seen without his camera.
He was predeceased by his parents, Bill & Alice Suffolk, and is survived by his wife Jill and sister Cynthia. He was a very kind, gentle caring man and will be missed by many.