Santa Fe Living Treasures – Elder Stories

 

Beginning with herbs, then expanding into flowers, then trees and shrubs, then vegetables, Elspeth created an ever-more-magnificent domain. After a while it held 20 separate garden plots, and had become a major attraction in the world of gardening.

With an abundance of nutritious vegetables and wonderful flowers, Elspeth generously shared the bounty with the Kitchen Angels. But by no means was that her only cause. A philanthropist all through the years, she has been a major supporter of the Presbyterian Ear Institute, Santa Fe Community Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Women’s Health Services, and numerous other groups. In 1999 she was declared New Mexico’s Philanthropist of the Year.

A cochlear implant in 1988 gave Elspeth a small degree of hearing, enabling her to enjoy her family, friends and astonishingly full life more than ever. But she has always lived it to the hilt--as shown by a bumper sticker seen all over town: “I’m a Friend of Mrs. Bobbs.”

Story by Richard McCord

Photo © 2008 Steve Northup