I met
Pippa Fog in May of 1995, when she
came by to witness a small group of
“violet” ladies gathered in
Washington, DC quite intent on
holding the first annual meeting of
The American Violet Society (known
at that time as the International
Violet Association). She joined the
fledgling organization on the spot,
simply, she said, for the “sake of
violets.”
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Pippa Fog 1937 - 2001
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Born in
England, Pippa spent most of her
childhood in India and acquired
a passion and understanding for
different cultures and
languages. She and her husband
Mogens lived abroad and in many
different areas in the U.S
before settling in Washington,
D.C. where their home was open
to hundreds of friends, locals
or visiting from all over the
globe.
In the
Washington, DC community, Pippa
was widely known as a superb
gardener and a committed member
with the local chapter of The
Herb Society of America through
which she volunteered her garden
expertise in the development of
a number of community gardens
across the metropolitan area.
Her love of violets was
legendary as she would
enthusiastically spread the word
about them and promote its
cultivation. In fact, she was
instrumental in encouraging
Janet Walker (AVS Board Member
and Director of Agriculture at
The American Horticultural
Society) to create a violet
garden at the society’s lovely
grounds in Virginia. Moreover,
she supplied most of the violet
plants growing there now from
her own garden.
Many
among us remember Pippa’s jovial
presence and no-nonsense
attitude. Quite in character she
displayed those same traits
throughout her courageous battle
with cancer, and even two days
before her passing she was
directing family and friends in
needed garden work at her own
home.
Although I knew Pippa for a few
years, I greatly admired and
counted her among my dearest
friends. When I think of her
now, I cannot help but associate
the words of the young Japanese
poet, Madoka Mayuzumi with what
is in my mind and heart, Pippa’s
legacy.