Eugenia Moran, 83, expert horticulturist

To say Eugenia “Gena” Woodhouse Moran had a way with flowers might be an understatement.

“She had a communication with flowers,” said Jeanne Heyser, a friend of Mrs. Moran for 60 years.

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Eugenia ‘Gena’ Moran, a Seattle native who was a ‘pretend Southern belle’ with manners to match, according to her daughter-in-law, shared her expertise in horticultural circles.

“She once told her orchid it was going in the trash if it didn’t bloom. It bloomed the next week.”

The lifelong horticulturist and flower fancier lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday and died at 83. She was the first emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Garden Clubs of Georgia, an honor she received for 20 years of service.

Mrs. Moran was a member of the North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges, a National Garden Club Master Judge, a national instructor in horticulture, a charter member and past president of The ImaginatiF Study Club, and the founder of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Ivy Society.

Mrs. Moran’s daughter-in-law Cheryl Harper said the Seattle native was a “pretend Southern belle” with manners to match. Mrs. Moran’s family was prominent in Seattle, but after she married she settled in Atlanta.

“She was the most Southern belle you’d ever know,” Ms. Harper said. “When Gena said ‘Y’all come,’ she meant it. She was compassionate, generous and gracious.”

While suffering the debilitating effects of memory-robbing Alzheimer’s, Mrs. Moran didn’t always recognize her visitors. But she was always kind and receptive.

“In the last weeks of her life, she’d smile if you came to see her, she’d brighten right up even if she didn’t know who you were,” Ms. Harper said. “She always said ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ “

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Moran came to Atlanta after meeting a “dashing young soldier from Alabama” on a train ride back to Seattle from New York City, Ms. Heyser said. She was 17 when she married Thomas Moran.

Mr. Moran returned to battle during World War II and suffered tragically when both his hands were blown off. His wife stayed by his side through surgeries and recovery and the application of hooks on her husband’s wrists.

“She was so steadfast and helpful in the early years when it wasn’t easy,” Ms. Heyser said. “She didn’t have any choice but to be positive.”

When her attorney husband ran — successfully — for Fulton County State Court judge, Mrs. Moran campaigned for him and buttoned his shirts.

“He could do anything with those hooks except button his shirts,” Ms. Harper said. “And she gladly did that for him every day.”

Ms. Heyser, who shared Mrs. Moran’s love of flowers, said she will miss her lifelong friend.

“I have a magnet on my fridge from her that says, ‘We’ll be friends forever. You know too much.’ I was lucky enough to have a really good friend.”

Mrs. Moran was predeceased by her husband in 1984.

Survivors include three sons, Thomas R. Moran, Robert D. Moran and Donald J. Moran; a brother, Richard Woodhouse; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1925 Century Blvd. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30345.