It is with a heavy heart that we advise the ExplorOz community of the passing of popular and long term member, Val Wiseman, who passed away on Saturday after a 12 month long battle with cancer. Whilst we have had many years of online communications with Val, we had the good fortune to spend 2 weeks with her on a trip a few years ago and she really was an inspirational woman. Both wise, practical and compassionate we are grateful to have had the chance to meet her (and husband
John) and very thankful for her contributions to ExplorOz. She has also given us wise words of advice and support in family matters where we share a common link.
It was on that trip in 2013 that Val and David conceived the ExplorOz Wildflower database and she worked with David for months over email to devise the database structures and then once David completed it, she spent many many hours posting the content – a very large and laborious task but it’s done. Botany was her hobby and passion and it is a valuable legacy that she has left us with and I feel it is important that we try to ensure that it can be nurtured.
Funeral Details (provided by
John this morning)
Valerie Ruth Wiseman, 13 May 1945 – 24 February 2018
Val. found great joy in the beauty of nature, and inspired those around her with her knowledge and passion. She will long be remembered for her great service to the natural environment of the ACT and southeast NSW, as
well as her many contributions to the Hall and
Wallaroo communities, to whom she gave her wisdom, energy and humour gladly.
She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years,
John; along with her children Rob, Andrew and Peter; and her grandchildren, Katrina, Briana and Darcy.
Her funeral will be held at William Cole Funerals, 60 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen, on Monday 5 March 2018 at 9:30 am, followed by her burial at Hall Village
cemetery. Val. requested an informal service, so no suits or ties please. As a passionate botanist and gardener, Val. asked for no commercial cut flowers, but bunches from the garden or the bush would be most welcome.
If you can't make the service, you are welcome to post responses to this post to show your appreciation and support, which we hope will be of some value to
John and their family.