Stuart Hammer, President of NETGS  

From Mike Mack
President, Buxton Begonia Branch of ABS

I am sorry to have to tell you that Stuart passed away this morning [September 13, 2021] after a courageous struggle with cancer. Stuart was always an enthusiastic supporter of Buxton and ABS. He was very generous with plants and with his time and was an eager participant in Buxton activities. Our December party was always held at his home where he always encouraged attendees to help themselves to cuttings of pretty much anything in his greenhouse. He also assisted ABS with legal matters and with their investments. Stuart will be greatly missed.

There will be a service for him this Friday [see below for details]. We will commemorate both Wanda Macnair and Stuart at our Begonia Show this Saturday. 

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Stuart was a great plant grower, teacher and mentor to anyone who asked any questions about his plants. He served in several officer roles for both the Buxton Begonia Branch of ABS, as well as the New England Chapter of the Gesneriad Society, for which he was convinced into becoming President, yet again.

Very few of us were aware how successful he was in his day job, being a highly respected lawyer, tax partner for a law firm, director of a law firm, and investment tax counsel for two major insurance companies.

He gave freely of his time, and of his vast plant collection, to anyone interested, plus he had an incredible sense of humor. His plants consistently won awards and coveted cultural certificates. 

Stuart, our societies will not be the same without you, RIP.

- Gloria Utzig

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Memorial Service for Stuart Hammer 

Memorial Services were held. The family welcomes donations to Rachel’s Table (http://www.rachelstable.org/) as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers.

Stuart Hammer's Obituary can be accessed by clicking here. ​

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Wanda Mcnair 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our greatest Gesneriad and Begonia grower members, and mentor to us all, Wanda Mcnair. She passed away on August 19, 2021, and was 90 years old.  She touched all of us in so many ways, in the various roles she played for our local and national societies, as well as the Begonia societies.

Our condolences to her husband, Richard Mcnair, their son, Douglas, and the entire Mcnair family, friends and acquaintances. Wanda, you will be missed greatly. RIP.

Please check out the link to the Lasting Memories website created by her son, where you can read about her incredibly full life as well as share your condolences, photos, and stories of Wanda:  Lasting Memories - Wanda Mcnair ​

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Some Sad News

​It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of our dear member, Mary Bozoian's peaceful passing on September 10, 2020, per her daughter, Paula M. Bozoian.  A small funeral was held on the 17th. 

Mary was a longtime member of NETGS and The Gesneriad Society, and served in many official capacities, including judging. She attended and contributed to all of our meetings, plant shows and sales, and took great pride in having chaired a national convention held in New England several years back.    

​Mary's fondness for Sinningias was only surpassed by her love of Petrocosmeas, and photos of many of her stunning plants continue to make the rounds online.  
Her attention to detail, and her kindness and welcoming spirit, made our society that much richer, and we will miss her greatly. 
 
Her obituary can be accessed here:  http://www.waittfuneralhome.com/obituary/Mary-Bozoian
We had celebrated Mary's 100th Birthday at our last NETGS face-to-face meeting in February 2020, photos below. 
RIP, Mary! 

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Peter Shalit, Editor of Gesneriads - The Journal for Gesneriad Growers, has informed us that Judy Becker, one of our members, and a long time member of the Gesneriad Society, a former Registrar, and Commercial Grower, passed away August 19, 2019. 

Judy owned and operated the nursery business Lauray of Salisbury, in Connecticut, and was very successful, providing and showing rare and unusual plants. 

She was very knowledgeable, and was a great teacher, willing to take the time to help you understand, grow, and show great plants.

She was involved with the Connecticut Orchid Society as well, and the Hartford Courant in March 2003 quoted her at a show she helped organize: ""There should be more out there than a lecture for people to go and sit at," Becker said. "And if you want to help people get educated, you have to do more than stand and look at your own flowers.""

Judy, you will be missed greatly.  RIP. 

​Our 2019 Show and Sale was dedicated in her memory.  ​

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