Calusa Garden Club Seeks Info about Past Honorees

On Monday, January 5, 2026, Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island members gathered to re-dedicate two trees originally planted by the club over 25 years ago at the Marco Island Branch of the Collier County Public Library. Librarian Brenda Rasch was in attendance. The club had purchased two new plaques and mounted them on posts next to the two mature trees. Past presidents Virginia DeeDee McDowell, who was president of the garden club in 1989-1991 and again in 1994 -1995, and Dorothy Davis, who was president in 1987-1989, were the honorees for whom the trees had been planted. The plaque honoring Dorothy Davis was placed in front of the tamarind tree near Andalusia Terrace, and the plaque honoring Virginia DeeDee McDowell was placed by the West Indian mahogany tree nearer the library. The mature trees are located on the south side of the Marco Island library near Andalusia Terrace. Rasch was appreciative of the efforts that Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island took to replace the former faded and dilapidated markers.

The two project co-chairmen, Gloria Fabijanic and Marianne Foley said that a review of club archives produced no additional information about either Davis or McDowell except the years of their service as presidents of Calusa Garden Club. President Linda Colombo asks any member of the Marco Island community who knew McDowell or Davis or who has information about the two women to contact her by email at calusagardenclubcommunication@gmail.com. Club members would like to learn more about the two past presidents and their contributions to Marco Island.