ONE of the founding members of Queensland Begonia Society, Isobel Marjory Crossley, has passed away.
The Redlands woman died on Monday, September 24, at Greenslopes Private Hospital after a short illness.
A service commemorating her life was held earlier this month.
Isobel, a former Avon lady and lover of gardening and the floral arts, was the youngest daughter of George and Myra Allen.
She was born at Cooroy in 1927 and attended Cleveland State School after her family moved to the area in 1939 when she was 12.
The Allen family lived in a two-room house at Smith Street but later moved to Shore Street, at an address near the old railway station.
Isobel met and married carpenter Selwyn Crossley, of Passage Street, in 1947.
The pair built a home at Queen Street to raise their five children – Peter, Leah, Janette, Richard and Maxwell.
Isobel joined the Redlands Horticultural Society in the late 1950’s, later becoming a club patron after 60 years of continuous membership.
She and Selwyn were judges for the society and also judged for other south-east Queensland garden clubs.
They built another home in 1973 on the corner of Queen and Fitzroy streets where there was plenty of room for a bush house and extensive gardens.
Sel’s love of ferns and Isobel’s love of begonias and peperomias meant they had to share the space, but they worked it out.
Isobel joined the South Australian Begonia Society to get more information on growing and cultivating the plant.
In 1988, she helped to found the Queensland Begonia Society. She remained active in that club for almost three decades and was a life member.
She was one of three club members who had attended all begonia conferences held across Australia.
Isobel was also part of the Cleveland Ladies Bowls Club.
She was a keen participant in any mischief the ladies got up to on specials occasions, including at Melbourne Cup luncheons, fundraisers and Christmas functions.
Isobel enjoyed going to the club on Tuesdays to join the Sunshine Ladies for a cuppa and catch-up with bowlers.
Some might remember Isobel as their local Avon lady.
She also was a lover of floral art and helped with floral art displays in the Redlands.
Isobel loved travelling with Selwyn, who passed away in 2003.
The two went around Australia twice, first going one way and then travelling the other. They also enjoyed cruising and overseas trips.
Isobel leaves her children, their partners, her 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren behind.
