"Miss Betty" Fitz-Gerald
In Memorium: Betty Fitz-Gerald, humanitarian, arbor day advocate and ambassador of goodwill
TO THE COMMUNITY OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA:
| Dear Friends, Our lives are blessed with many wonderful and beautiful people and we should each endeavor to emulate that which is the best in humanity. In 1984 I had the opportunity to meet "Miss Betty" Fitz-Gerald. She was serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the City of Montgomery, a function which she poured her heart and soul into. Her work involved beautifying our community and enriching the lives of everyone she touched. Miss Betty was a crusader for people who were challenged. She would be the first point out that she was doing God's work and was herself not to get any of the glory. What she called God's work involved planting trees and gardens. But it also involved planting ideas of goodness and goodwill inside everyone's heart, mind and soul. One of Miss Betty's ideas was that all God's children should be accepted into society without feelings of shame, pity or indignation, regardless of what impairment or disability they might happen to have. The elderly, children with mental retardation, the physically or mentally challenged, should not be warehoused and segregated from society, but should be brought out into public to share and rejoice in all of life with their fellow citizens. Miss Betty brought joy and cheer to people by bringing them together during Arbor Day celebrations to plant trees. She visited with our Veterans in hospitals, with children at rehabilitation centers and with the elderly. She invited members of the press to come along so they could see what it was like inside these institutions. What she wanted us to see, I believe, was that people should not be closed away and forgotten, as everyone, regardless of their station or condition in life, is a beautiful person with much of value to offer humanity. One of Miss Betty's joys in life was to give small gifts. She often gave those she loved a booklet of her poems or a Susan B. Anthony coin. I believe this was a subtle message of the inspirational role that women might play in changing our lives for the better. Miss Betty was, in all respects, engendered with the Biblical spirit of Tabitha, that good hearted, charitable Samaritan who reached out to help those less fortunate. Perhaps the best tribute to Miss Betty would be for each of us who knew her to plant a tree in her honor and memory. A dogwood might be appropriate, or perhaps an oak. I planted a tree for Miss Betty in virtual reality and am working to save the planet through encouraging the planting of Miracle Oak Trees. There are links related to trees, gardening and people who are challenged. It is my way sharing what Miss Betty was always giving away: kindness, love and communion with our neighbors. Miss Betty will be much missed. Yet if we each in our own way emulate her goodness our community will surely blossom, grow more beautiful over time and be better when we each depart this Earth.
Sincerely,
Memorial LinksGardenNet's Garden GuideBook May browse gardens by state, world or type. Shakespeare Gardens Located in Wynton Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery, Alabama. Dogwood Tree (Botanical Information) by Channelle Ragland UT Researchers are barking up the dogwood tree by Tina Jones Great Outdoor Cams. Miss Betty enjoyed the great outdoors and in her memory visitors are invited to explore via web cams around the globe! Of special interest to gardeners may be Doreen Maller's Victory Garden Cam and the Napa Valley vineyard webcam. Miss Betty also enjoyed Christmas tree dedications and in her memory visitors are invited to the US Capitol Holiday Tree & Tree Cam site. Patriotic Americans are invited to view the Statue of Liberty cam and the Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial Cam. Also please visit the Niagara Fall Webcam and the Rockefeller Center Cam. As you take a virtual journey keep in mind how important trees, gardens and forests are to our environment. Trees help beautify our communities and to provide the clean, fresh air we need for our survival! Please plant a tree in Miss Betty's memory or in the memory of someone you love. Thank you!
Other Memorial SitesLt. Col. Leonard P. Lynch Memorial Tribute Gov. George C. Wallace Virtual Atonement Memorial
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