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Winnie Washburn, left, claps after introducing Dr. Ron
Martin during a meeting of the Cedar City chapter of the
Utah Native Plant Society in Cedar City on March 18.
Washburn spearheaded the creation of the group. |
CEDAR CITY — It is 9 a.m. and 92-year-old Winifred “Winnie” Washburn is rushing out the door to a meeting in Cedar City. The schedule is nothing new for the woman whose journey through life has enabled her to enjoy a wide range of experiences from the Great Depression to being a pastor’s wife, writing books, teaching poetry and working in the garden.
Highly schooled, Washburn was educated at respected schools such as Mills College in Oakland, Calif., University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., San Francisco State University and Dubuque University and Seminary in Iowa. She learned decades ago that once a person quits learning, he or she begins to fade away and the Washburn way is to live life to its fullest.
A native of Oakland, Washburn is more active than most people half her age and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Along with being a lay minister, she is a master gardener who is now spearheading the creation of the Cedar City Chapter of the Utah Native Plant Society, a group whose intent is to add trees to the area while also educating the general public about the importance of using native plants that are drought resistant.
In a short period of time, the Utah Native Plant Chapter has drawn attention from notable scholars such as Southern Utah State University Professor Ron Martin, who is the head of the school’s department of biology. In fact, more than 50 enthusiasts attended the first two meetings, which are now being conducted at Community Presbyterian church in the Fiddler’s Canyon area of Cedar City.
With so much energy and a deep love of life, it’s interesting to note that Washburn was actually an introverted woman whose life changed dramatically in 1941 when she married the Rev. Dr. Charles Harry Washburn, who was a Presbyterian chaplain during World War II. The two were married for 61 years and traveled all over the world helping people in convalescent homes before he passed away in 2002.
“I used to be shy and afraid of people,” she says now. “But that all changed when I married a pastor. I wanted to be a pastor and the church said ‘No, sorry dear. We don’t ordain women. But go ahead and teach Sunday school,’ so I decided if I couldn’t be a pastor, I was going to marry one.”
Needless to say, referring to Winnie Washburn as an inspiration is an understatement. Zig Ziglar could learn a thing or two from her and it’s a sure bet that people with no drive or enthusiasm had best get out of her way. In addition, the woman’s many years on Earth also qualify her to speak about tough times, especially during the current economic downturn.
“I think we’re on the verge of going into a much deeper recession,” she says very analytically. “It’s very ugly right now and we’re on the edge of anarchy. This could be the beginning of the end of time. The Lord has a plan and He has work for you and me to do. We now need to think about the three Ws — wait patiently, work hard and be watchful.
“I have spent a lifetime depending on God’s will in my life and allowing him to be totally in control.”
Steve and Joleen Wise rented Washburn a home when she moved to Cedar City from Escalante in 2006 after establishing the native plant chapter there. Her daughter Harriet Priska now leads the group. When the independent Washburn decided she needed a home of her own, the Wises lost the best renter they ever had.
“She is absolutely amazing,” says Joleen Wise. “Besides the fact that she’s 92, she has accomplished so many things. Winnie is very stubborn and gets what she wants. She doesn’t brag and I’m sure there are many things she has done that we’ll never know about.”
Marguerite Smith, another member of the Utah Native Plant Society, added “She’s a 92-year-old wonder. We struggle to keep up with her, and she has been a very good leader for us.”
Alice Maas echoed the praise with, “If you could bottle her, you would have no problem with old age. She knows people everywhere and has empathy for everyone. I don’t think she’s ever had a bad feeling about anyone, and she is so gracious and so appreciative.
“Without Winnie, we would not be having this native plant chapter that is so sorely needed. This is her passion.” Just to make certain that the members of the chapter are learning and following through, Winnie Washburn is planning a garden tour for established native plant gardens in late June.
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