7/10/2024

Anne F. Duffy, a member of the Gulf Coast Garden Club since 2009, and club secretary for many years, passed away at the age of 82 on May 6, 2024 after battling ongoing health issues. Anne, daughter of Michael and Rose Palombo, was born in Bronx, New York on June 6, 1941 and was predeceased by her parents, her brother William Palombo and survived by her brother Joseph Palombo.

After being high school sweethearts, Anne married Terrence James Duffy Sr. and they have been married for over 60 years. Together they raised their five children, Terrence J. Duffy Jr. (Lisa). John W. Duffy Sr., Christopher P. Duffy Sr. (Anne), Catherine A. Hansen (Michael), and Michael W. Duffy. Anne had immense pride and love for her 10 grandchildren; Lucy Duffy, Cassidy Duffy, Terrence Duffy III, Hugh Duffy, Hannah Duffy, James Duffy, Christopher Duffy Jr., Christopher Hansen, Michael Hansen, and the late John Jr.

Anne enjoyed every moment she could with her family. She found her greatest joy in gathering her loved ones around the festively decorated dinner table, where she demonstrated her talent for cooking delicious meals. Her Italian heritage held a special place in her heart, which she shared with her grandchildren through homemade Italian dishes.

Her love for gardening and flowers was also evident as she always created her own centerpieces for each table. Anne’s hobbies also included baking. She had a particular fondness for chocolate and was known for making countless batches of Christmas cookies, specifically her traditional Italian Christmas cookies.

Beyond her family and kitchen, Anne was deeply involved in her community. Her caring spirit led her to serve in numerous organizations in addition to the Gulf Coast Garden Club such as the 25th TWIG organization, Shoreline Sweet Adelines singing group, Ceres Garden Club, Meals on Wheels, Rye Senior Center, President of the Women’s Club of Rye, United Hospital and Greenwich hospital gift shop buyer and volunteer, Girl Scout Troop leader, Midland school PTA, and a Religious Education teacher for the Church of the Resurrection.

Anne was an active member of the Rye Rec Seniors, often attending plays and shows with the group. Her trips to the theater extended into her winters in Florida, where she also enjoyed spending time on the beach and visits from her family. Anne also had a passion for travel, embarking on trips abroad to visit relatives in Italy where she created many memories with loved ones.

Anne’s warmth, love, kindness, and generosity touched the lives of many. The memory of her gentle spirit and loving nature will forever remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

The family will be receiving at Graham Funeral home in Rye, NY on May 19th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. A Mass of the Christian burial will be held at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York on Monday May 20th at 10:00am.

The home and garden of Denise Baier is the site for the Gulf Coast Garden Club June meeting.

The meeting will start at 10:00 AM.
RSVP to: Denise at dbaier4@yahoo.com

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click on pictures to enlarge

click here to view more pictures taken on January 19, 2024.

On Jan 19, 2024, The Gulf Coast Garden Club (GCGC) planted an Orange Geiger, its first Florida Arbor Day tree, located near the Blue Star Marker we dedicated in the Bonita Springs Riverside Park in 2021.

The Gulf Coast Garden Club is also celebrating its 20th Anniversary as well as the 100th Anniversary of the Federated Garden Clubs of Florida. and the 95 Anniversary of the National Garden Clubs Organization.

We celebrate our promotion for the love of Gardening, floral design and our continuing promotion of our civic and environmental responsibility.

From: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST182

Geiger Tree – Scientific name: Cordia sebestena   Pronunciation: KOR-dee-uh seb-ess-TAY-nuh
Geiger tree Family: Boraginaceae  USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade  Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained. Drought tolerance: high. Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Flower characteristics: color: orange red; very showy; funnel-shaped;
Florida native tree. Growing in full sun to partial shade
Flowering: most of the year, but abundant in summer

Fruit characteristic: shape: oval – egg-shaped; length: 1 to 2 inches; covering: dry or hard. 
Fruit color: turns from green to white when ripe.  Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem; fragrant; fleshy 1-4 seeded drupe

Lorna O’Hara and Anina Bachrach participated in the planting of a new tree near our Blue Star Marker

The following species have been listed on an invasive species list or noxious weed law in North America. For more information on each species, including the listing sources, images, and publication links, click on the species.

https://www.invasive.org/species/trees.cfm

click on GCGC logo to return to home page.

Click here for pictures taken by Anina Bachrach

Gayle Dorio gave a talk on Orchids
click here for the information she provided.