Longtime AIB Judge & Board Member Passes Away

Jennifer Zurko

Evelyn Alemanni, a longtime America in Bloom (AIB) judge and former board member, passed away in early July as a result of complications from pancreatic cancer.

Evelyn was a prolific marketing and technical communications specialist, consulting for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 firms, but many involved in AIB remember Evelyn for her remarkable volunteer spirit.

One of her main volunteer activities was to serve as a judge and community development consultant for America in Bloom, Communities in Bloom and LivCom. With those programs, she visited nearly 200 cities in 11 countries to help communities achieve their best quality of life. She also judged for the Philadelphia Flower Show for many years.

Evelyn’s passion and obsession were gardening and flowers, and flower arranging. For 11 years, she volunteered in the flower shop at the most well-known address on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Her garden was recognized twice as Garden of the Year by San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles, and received an award for sustainability from Espoma Corp. It was also one of five finalists for Best Garden in America from “Good Morning America.” The garden was often photographed for many flower catalogs and consumer publications.

Evelyn’s Facebook page shares more about her remarkable life. GT