SAF member, Sylvia Cup winner, member of the Floriculture Hall of Fame and lifelong florist, Frances J. Poetker, died on March 4, 2008.  Poetker was the former owner and operator of Jones the Florist in Ohio. She was fondly referred to in the greater Cincinnati area as "the first lady of flowers."

Poetker was born on April 16, 1913 in Cincinnati and graduated from Walnut Hills High School. She attended Vassar College where she earned her bachelor's degree in botany in 1933. She went on to receive her master's degree in plant ecology from the University of Cincinnati in 1934. The following year, Poetker bought Jones the Florist from her father, C.B. Jones.

Poetker joined the Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) Association, where she served as national spokeswoman for many years. The first woman director on the board of the Society of American Florists, Poetker also served as a board member of the American Horticultural Society for nine years. 

She co-wrote a book called "Wild Wealth" and even penned a syndicated column "Fun With Flowers," appearing in 68 newspapers. Always willing to share her knowledge of flowers, Poetker would appear on Cincinnati area television demonstrating how to use flowers for special occasions. She also gave botany lectures to local high school students. The American Horicultural Society named a special award after her. The AHS Frances Jones Poetker Award, initially presented in 1988, recognizes significant contributions to floral design in publications, on the platform and to the public.

A celebration of her life will be held this Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pilgrim Chapel, 1222 Ida St. in Mount Adams, Ohio.

Memorials may be sent to the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, or to the Mount Adams Pilgrim Chapel Flower Fund, 1222 Ida St., 45202.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

 

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