I'm so very sorry to hear this. She was truly one of the pioneers, and a woman of great energy and infectious enthusiasm. She leaves behind her a lasting mark on the rose world.

My condolences to her family and to her many friends. I met her once at El Cerrito, quite briefly, and only in passing, so I cannot count myself among them. But I do count myself as a long time admirer.

Rosefolly

I'm deeply sorry to hear this news. I once had the privilege of touring her garden and thought she was a warm and lovely person, in addition to admiring her for her very significant contributions to the cause of old roses.

Ingrid

I am so sorry to hear of the personal loss for those who knew her and to contemplate the loss to the community that loves old roses.

Jeri this makes me so sad. I can say at least that the last time I saw her she had her arms full of new rose plants.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Miriam Wilkins, but am grateful for her life, and for her passion for old roses. When I hear or read her name, I always think immediately of that wonderful photo of her that appeared in ROSA MUNDI a couple of years ago -- a portait of a lovely, dignified Miriam standing amidst cascading blooms of (IIRC) 'Belle Portugaise'. It's an image that I expect now has very special meaning for her family and friends.

The image I love is one of her standing in her garden with blue sky behind her. Bill Grant took it, and shared it with me.

She bought a Secret Garden Musk Climber from me, at the Celebration. She was so happy -- just looking at her made ME happy.
I know she was ready to go home. I just find that I was not ready to say good bye.

Jeri

I never had the chance to meet her..although we did speak on the phone a few times...such sad news...I will keep her, and her family in my thoughts...

I am really sad to hear that. She was a wonderful person. I enjoyed speaking to her the few times I got the chance. All the best to her family and friends.

--Ron

This is indeed very sad news. Miriam was my first introduction to old roses back in the 1980s when I attended Heritage Rose meetings. I was thrilled to discover each and every variety she introduced me to. Viewing her garden the times I had the opportunity was always a treasured treat. To me she will always be the First Lady of Old Roses.

My condolences to her family. She will be missed.

Diane

I'm sorry, for the loss of a wonderful person and for the pain of those who knew her. Thanks for letting us know. Now it's up to us to grow those roses and pass along our love of them to others, right?
Melissa

This is very sad news. She did so much for roses. Condolences to her family.

This is very sad.

I first learned of old roses through articles about her in our local newspapers. I follow her guidelines for late winter rose care.

I never personally met her, but saw her at meetings and at the Old Garden Rose Show in El Cerrito.

She was and is so influential in our love of all roses antique.

My best wishes to her family.

Oh, dear - when I saw Miriam's name on the post title, I was hoping against hope that she was being honored and given another award, but my fears came true.

I have met Miriam many times at HRG meetings and the Celebration, and she deserved all of the honors and awards she has received in recent years.

My personal fond memories of her start in the early 1990s, when I knew nothing about all of the old roses in my garden, and had joined HRG at the Celebration to try and find out something about them. We started getting the local HRG newsletter, which at that time was written by Miriam. The rose and non-rose stories and asides in it were so hilarious, I would read them out loud to my husband, and we started referring to Miriam (just to each other, and with affection) as the "crazy rose lady". We found that we really looked forward to her newsletters, and always read them together when they came (he is not really interested in roses - he loved the funny stories).

I just walked into the house and told him that "the crazy rose lady has died", and he reacted with real sadness and regret, as do I.

Jackie

I'm heartbroken to hear of her passing. Miriam Wilkins appeared to me to be as lovely as the rose named after her. Her love and passion for Old Roses, and her kindness, inspired many of us, I believe, to grow and conserve Old Roses.
I was in awe of Miriam, and it took me a couple years to approach her at the Old Rose Celebration, and I was touched that even though she was quite busy she took a few moments, to give her good opinion, enthusiastically, about 'Plaisenterie' which I was considering adding to my garden, and she invited me to see her garden.
She spoke with such conviction about wild roses and Old Garden Roses.
I'll miss her.

Luxrosa

Lux, Like you, I was far too in awe of her, to just walk up. One of my friends literally DRAGGED me up to her, to introduce myself.
I was so embarrassed.

Just as you know, she was the kindest person imaginable, and I am proud to say that I came to call her a friend.

When an editor was needed for HRG's "Rose Letter," I didn't see how I could take it on.
In the end could only do so with the help of my DH. He said, quietly, that we had to do it, for Miriam.
And it was so.

I know she is surrounded by roses, now -- and I know it was TIME. But I was not ready to say goodbye.

Jeri