Oh, Don, I am so very, very sorry.

I really enjoyed my friendship with her back in the Spike days of Gardenweb. And especially how she and I both had 'creeping black crud' on our roses and she got a sample to a plant pathologist who gave her a diagnosis. Except she tried to share it on GW and almost got banned because of one syllable in the scientific name of the pathogen. Only another gardener would understand that whenever I see that on a rose, I think of her and smile.

Ann

I didn’t know your wife but her garden is beautiful and I’m so very sorry for your loss.

I remember meeting Missy at Mendocino Rose's garden back in the days when MR used to hold open gardens at her place. It was such a pleasure to meet her after years of chatting on Gardenweb.

I am very sorry for your loss. Thank you for making this post. Sometimes old friends disappear and we never know what happened.

Rosefolly

I’m so so sorry for your loss . Thank you for taking the time to share with us . May you find comfort and peace during this time . God bless you !

I'm so sorry for your loss! Thank you for letting us know. I didnt personally know her, but I'm sorry for all the complications leading up to your loss. Thank you for sharing some pictures of what she loved.

Don, thank you for letting us know. I'm so very sorry. Missy's album is simply wonderful and a testament to her as a lover of roses and kitties and as a precious human being.

Don, So sorry to hear. Thank you for posting Missy's lovely garden photos. They are absolutely beautiful. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful wife. I will never forget these photos.

Don, I'm sorry for your loss. I remember Missy on the Forum, and I enjoyed seeing her pictures. Her rose collection is wonderful, and her pictures captured the special qualities of the blooms and plants.

We all sympathize with your loss and appreciate you letting us know. Even if we never met face to face with Missy, she was part of our virtual "family" here on GW Roses and she'll be missed. If you wanted to have a memorial rose(s) planted somewhere in her memory whenever you might have the emotional space to consider it, I know we'd be happy to chime in with work and/or support for the process.

Cynthia

Don, I never knew Missy, but wish that I had. What a beautiful garden she created. You will have been through a terrible time. I hope you find solace. Trish

Don, I am so , so sorry for your lost. I never knew her but I really hope you will find peace and comfort . I know this is very rough, hard times for you. Maybe the hardest . But thank you for sharing this with us and remembering her forums and informing us. This must be very rough on you. Please take care of yourself and family. Condolences to you and your family members.

Jin

Don—I can only echo what the others have said, and express how sorry I am to read such news. I didn’t know Missy, but can see by the photos that she was indeed a kindred spirit. Thank you so much for thinking of her friends here in such a time, and for sharing what had to be a difficult post. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Don, my deepest condolences on Missy’s passing. I hope your 35 years of love and laughter help bring you peace and comfort during this very difficult time. If I can say that looking through Missy’s photos, she was an absolute garden artist. Her talents and keen eye for color are simply amazing. Her photos have inspired me to be more creative and she is an inspiration to us all. Please take care of yourself.

My condolences on the loss of your companion of so many years. Thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about your wife Don, I did not know your wife but I am sure she was loved by many, thank you for sharing this with us.

I want to add my condolences to you,too,Don.

Don, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting us know.

Don. I'm so sorry to know this -- but I thank you for letting all of us know.

Thank you so much for your kind words. She was a regular here in Antiques since we joined in 1998 but has not been active the last few years. We both have had physical problems but that never stopped from running circles around me, always had something to do. I am so glad there are some here that remember her.

Gary and I went to the cemetery yesterday to finalize things. His
daughter is going on a planned trip to Hawaii and will not be back for a
couple of weeks. We are having her cremated so a delay in the burial is
not a problem. This gives us more time to organize the memorial and let
people that want to come know. Looks like the end of the month and just
after that for the memorial. Will keep all updated for dates.

Gary showed me this that his daughter Nicole wrote on facebook...

Our Granddaughter wrote this and
I asked her if I could share
Nicole Gutzmann shared a photo — with Brandon Gutzmann and 2 others.
August 6 at 11:05 AM ·

The world lost a special lady yesterday. Forever the nature-loving garden enthusiast, my grandma showered her love on the many plants, animals, and people in her life. She took pride in her award winning fern garden and the delicate english roses that flourished under her care. When not in the garden, she could be found in her aviary, with tiny birds alighted on her head, much to her delight. She is the only woman I have ever know to have a laugh that goes "teehee" which could often be heard in her appreciation and amazement with her pets and wildlife. The many cats she loved leisurely spent their time in her outdoor cat hotel, and of course the two house cats Thelma and Louise that she adopted after the passing of her lifelong friend Joan were very near and dear to her heart. Also a fun-spirited prankster, I'm sure she is the one to blame for my dad's vast repertoire of jokes and pranks. The only old lady I know of that would buy a happy meal, mostly for the toy, she was a young-at-heart firecracker that stood strongly by her beliefs that everyone deserves to be loved equally, and there is strength in diversity. She will be missed, and her spirit will be remembered through all of my interactions with nature. Love you Grandma Elda. "Elda? Elda?! ELDAAAAAAAAA?!?!"
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Nicole Gutzmann
April 10, 2010

What a lovely tribute from Nicole. I have just recently returned to the rose forums after a long hiatus and one of the first things I noticed was the absence of Missy. I never met her but I always looked forward to her posts. I missed her fairytale garden, her beautiful photos, and especially her Joie de Vivre. I am so sorry for your loss.

An update, The funeral will be at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton at 701 E Bastanchury road, CA 92835 at 10:30 am on Monday the 27th of August.

Her photos were an inspiration to me. I always looked forward to seeing them and I pored over her albums. I am so sorry for the loss of this very special person. I can't believe she is gone.

Best wishes, Don, on carrying on without her. We feel for you and yours.