Speaker changed for February 1 Garden Club meeting, speaker Nancy Clark dies unexpectedly

Nancy Clarke, a speaker who had been slated to speak at the February meeting of the Boca Grande Garden Club, died January 14 at a hospital in Richmond, Va. She was 66.

Clark, an artisan who served as White House chief florist for six presidents and first families, had complications from a respiratory ailment.

Clarke retired in 2009 after more than three decades at the White House.

Els Teunissen, an internationally-known Dutch floral designer, will be speaking at its February 1 meeting in place of Nancy Clarke.

The presentation is free to members, and open to guests on a space available basis for a fee of $30. The meeting will be held in the Community Center at 1 p.m. Reservations may be made by mailing your check to Kay Ferland at POB 807, Boca Grande, indicating the event you are reserving.

If you sent in a guest reservation for Nancy Clarke’s presentation, you may keep it for her replacement speaker, or you may contact Kay Ferland at 964-4162 for a refund.