Obituary

On 8th November 2006, Jean Taylor, our Secretary for the last 5 years, suddenly passed away.

Jean has been a tireless worker for Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society, since she took over the post from Barbara Breary.

I have been privileged to have worked closely with Jean, it was a great pleasure. After guiding Jean through her first tentative steps as Secretary, asking how to do this or how to do that, she blossomed like her fuchsias, into a wonderful Secretary.

Jean was a tender, sensitive person who always put the welfare of others, before her own needs. Always doing what was in the best interest of the Society. She was so precise, if we were going on any trip or meeting she would have reconnaissance trip beforehand, just to make sure that there were no hiccups along the way.

Not only was Jean associated with Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society, but did voluntary work at hospitals and also her doctors surgery. Recently, Jean took on the Secretary post of the joint Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society and Manchester Fuchsia Society, that is charged with running the 2007 NorthWest Fuchsia Societies, Fuchsia Festival at Stretford, Manchester.

We all will miss Jean severely, but not as much as by Alan, her husband and three daughters, Lesley, Chris and Jill. Our condolences go out to them at this sad time.

Jean believed that you only get out of life what you put in, by heck she put plenty in. Never complaining, always upbeat. I am sure that Jean got plenty of pleasure out of her endeavours, as everyone else did that can into contact with her.

My most treasured and vivid memory of Jean was in 2003, when she won " Best in Show " and B.F.S. Bronze medal, with her " Billy Green ". Her face was an absolute picture to treasure, she never expected to win this honour for Jean always considered that she was a beginner and novice. She was like a young girl again, walking on air. A Wonderful Memory.

Barbara Breary, 1933- 2004
Secretary, Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society, 1982 - 2002

It is with deep sadness,
that I have to inform you of the death of Barbara Breary, who passed away on 1st May 2004, in the Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, following a long period of illness.

Barbara was a founder member of SALFORD & BOLTON FUCHSIA SOCIETY and over many years was a tireless and willing worker for our Society.

History

She served for many years as Secretary, and for this work was rewarded by giving her a Life Membership of our Society.

Barbara will be remembered by the many friends that she made whilst accompanying her late husband, Bryan Breary, a B.F.S. National judge, on his journeys throughout the country.

She will be sadly missed by our Society and many other organisations that she was associated with.

Our sympathy and sincere condolences go to her brother Vincent and family, at this sad time.

Frederick Morris, 1917- 2002
President, Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society, 1992 - 2000

The sudden death of Fred Morris came as a shock to all those close to him, leaving a void in that group of friend's lives which will be difficult to replace.

Fred's knowledge, not only of the cultivation of Fuchsias, but his extensive knowledge of matters relating to the Species, was something to be admired.

Fred was always ready to talk to anyone who loved Fuchsias and was always there to offer advice, and help for the beginner to acquire an insight into Fuchsia world.

He was known up and down the country, at numerous events held by societies, from Scotland to Cornwall.

In 1960, Fred really got hooked on Fuchsias, This was after a visit to the late Jim Travis. Over the years, Fred and Jim became good friends and it was Jim that encouraged Fred to try his hand at being an hybridist. Over the years, Fred proved to be very adept and successful in this field. He was never in any hurry to profit by his successes, but ever ready to pass his plants on to his many friends.
He would spend many hours with the late Bryan Breary, the founder member of Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society and myself, exchanging ideas for cross-pollination of fuchsias. He always maintained that God's creatures, the bees, did a better job than the hybridist.

I feel so proud and privileged to have known Fred for over 25 years. He will be sorely missed not only by me, but his society friends at Salford & Bolton Fuchsia Society.

The Fuchsia world has lost one of the nicest gentlemen, I have had the pleasure to have known. I am sure that you will all join me in expressing our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his family at this sad time, and I say to Maureen, Ian and Joe, how proud they should be of their father's life. He will be long remembered by all who loved and admired him.

Fred will be forever remembered by his daughter Maureen, for she has had a special commemorative window made, with one of Fred's beloved fuchsia in it.

Here is a photo of it, with an encliandra called "Fred Morris" in front of the window.