Carmen Sivertson, our long time member, died peacefully in her sleep on January 9, 2018.

Lois Bosland recalls, “Carmen began her ikebana studies with Mary Nakadate and would join Mary and other students demonstrating outdoors at the Portland Saturday Market. She also enjoyed making arrangements for the Sogetsu Rose Show. Her love for ikebana was evident in her artistry.”

From 2011 to 2015, Carmen was a co-chairperson of the Schools Program Committee, which evolved into the Schools and Community Outreach Committee. Her unstinting support for engaging children with ikebana will be remembered by those of us who assisted her, and by the children, so pleased with their creations in mini-takeout cartons with oasis, greenery and pretty flowers.

A year ago, at our March general meeting, many of us happily greeted Carmen, who, after some absence, attended with her husband, Jack and daughter, Kari.

Following her wishes, a family service was held at Willamette National Cemetery. The family requests that remembrance be made to The Oregon Food Bank in her name.