I am truly sorry to learn of Broom’s passing. She was a great lady and will be sorely missed. I have seldom met anyone with as much common sense, humor and generosity of spirit. From the moment I first entered her virtual herbarium at Ancient Sites, I felt energized and blessed by our acquaintance. She was a woman of incredible strength and grace who always managed to surf the politics and personalities of Ancient Sites with the patience, intelligence and diplomatic skills of a wise and loving Elder. I guess that was the quality about her that just radiated, even through text on a computer screen – she was just full of love for all living things. That love enabled her to have patience with all of us – patience to laugh, patience to teach and patience to listen.

When she and Eldrich found each other, all seemed right with the world. Then, when Eldrich passed, she bore even that unbearable loss with an open heart. She was always real and always curious. And while I will miss her, I would like to think of Broom and Eldrich joined again, still exploring and teaching and blazing a trail for the rest of us.

I am so grateful to have known her, even if it was only through the internet. She loved us so and that is the part of her that lives on. I wish her families, both here and in the flesh, peace.