Gene Morse of Woodland Gardens Passes Away
Decatur Metro | December 16, 2010Andisheh writes in…
I found out today Mrs. Gene Morse passed away Saturday. She was 90.
Even if you don’t know her name, I suspect you and many Decatur Metro readers know something about her. Woodland Gardens on Scott Boulevard was her home for the past 64 years. Over the decades, Gene and her late husband, Dr. Chester Morse, bought parcels adjacent to their original plot until they’d amassed about seven acres. Their intention was to keep the land as a nature preserve; an oasis of trees and plant life in an area that, even back when they bought it, was rapidly developing. Over the decades, the family turned down many offers by developers who tried to buy the land. In 2002, the family donated the land to the Decatur Preservation Alliance. They wanted to make it a public green space for the community. Even though Mrs. Morse lived in the house on the property, the garden has been open to visitors for years.
Mrs. Morse was born in LaGrange, but her family moved to Decatur when she was young . She went to high school here and graduated from Agnes Scott. Over the decades, she was an active member of Decatur Presbyterian Church. She was also a founding member of the Decatur Book Lovers Club, a social book club that has been meeting here regularly for 62 years!
I’m telling you all this because her life was an example of the civic-minded, generous, neighborly spirit that makes Decatur such a special place to live. She not only felt affection for this community, she expressed that affection in meaningful, lasting ways.
I last saw her Labor Day weekend outside the church during the Decatur Book Festival. She was always kind and sweet to me, but she was extra kind and sweet because we had [our baby] with us. Babies make nice people happier – probably more so when they’re named for one of your oldest, dearest friends.
Her funeral at Decatur Presbyterian Church on Friday at 2 p.m.
Here’s a link to death notice placed by the family.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=gene-morse&pid=147132365
PS – After I wrote the words above, I noticed the AJC wrote an obituary, too.
http://www.ajc.com/news/gene-slack-morse-90-778275.html
DM, pls proofread your headlines.
Thanks. Would have appreciated an email, but thanks.
What a great lady. At a time when folks still suggest that turning downtown into some parklike cartoon countryside would make us more “green,” she was an example of true environmentalism — preserving meaningful habitat, empowering environmental education and fostering respect for (largely) undisturbed nature.
The impacts of her gift will probably only grow over time.
She was an absolutely delightful, warm and kind lady. I met her in step aerobics at the Y! She told me stories of her memories from back when Scot Boulevard was a dirt road and the most scandalous thing you could do as an Agnes Scott student was to go out walking with a boy after dark unchaperoned. I hope ahw shared he stories with many people so that this part or Decatur history isn’t lost. She will be missed.
I only met her a couple of times but her knowledge of plants was amazing and in her late 80s would whip out the latin names no problem. Her family has left Decatur with a wonderful legacy in Woodlands. Thank you Moreses and I am sorry for the loss of an amazing mom and naturalist.
I only met Mrs. Morse one time, shortly after she and her husband announced that their property would be donated to the city. There was an open house/garden one Sunday afternoon and I stopped by and introduced myself as a Decatur High teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Morse and I chatted about old Decatur, Girls High and “the wall”, whether I had taught her grandchildren (I had not) and quite a few other topics for such a short period of time. I recall having a lovely conversation with two true Southerners. We didn’t talk about politics, property values, commissioners, taxes, neighborhood gossip, traffic, bike lanes, redistricting, or school superintendents. It was refreshing. As I drove from their property, I remember thinking what beautiful people they were.
Decatur has been blessed to have people like Mr. and Mrs. Morse live here. We would be wise to try and emulate their commitment to each other, their children, and the people of Decatur. God Speed.
How wonderful that Mrs. Morse shared her life’s enjoyment with others so fully. How perfect that Woodland Gardens was featured on this year’s Garden Tour. Thank you to the Morse family for gifting us all with a native plants oasis. May you take comfort from her life well lived.
Frankly, every member of the family I know is inspiring; they’re just an outstanding family. Mrs. Morse and her husband were wonderful role models.