Deedy Bumgardner (fourth from left) and family
Dorothy Holden Bumgardner was awarded the Massie Medal for Distinguished Achievement on May 17, 2017, at the 97th Garden Club of Virginia Annual Meeting, hosted by the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club in Fredericksburg.
Deedy, a member of the Augusta Garden Club since 1979, has never waivered in her willingness to serve in whatever capacity asked of her, whether within her club or at the state level. Her tireless dedication, wisdom and grace have provided guidance for her club and its community projects, including the implementation of the New Library Landscape Project, as well as the Tree Planting Project along Route 275. Deedy has held dozens of positions in her club, from slides chairman to Historic Garden Week chairman to president. Ever a team player, Deedy served as her club’s second vice president immediately after her tenure as this organization’s president.
Deedy devotedly served the GCV as president (2004-06), GCV treasurer and restoration committee treasurer, restoration chairman and nominations Chairman. During her presidency, projects such as a new Strategic Plan and the approval of partnerships with Jamestown 2007 and the National Park Service for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail were implemented.
To quote GCV Landscape Architect Will Rieley, “what especially stands out is her willingness to drop everything at a moment’s notice and head to where she was needed around the commonwealth.” Deedy is recognized by her club as “a born leader whose sound judgment, dedication and sense of humor have been a blessing to all who know her.”
