Courtesy of Yesterday’s Island:
When I meet Festival veteran Mary Malavase, I know I am meeting someone with some major flower power. But her warm demeanor, reminiscent of her beloved daffodils, puts me immediately at ease. When I tentatively call her “The Daffodil Lady,” she laughs and assures me that she has grown quite fond of the nickname. After all, Mary has been an integral part of our Festival since it wasn’t much more than a bud in some ambitious minds. In particular, these were the minds of The Nantucket Garden Club and especially the late, great Jean MacAusland, who planted the idea of a flower show. The team of gardeners began by planting daffodils along Milestone Road in 1974, and they haven’t stopped since. The Festival, often dubbed “Daffy” by attendees, has been growing like a weed (albeit a pretty one) for the past 37 years. This year marks the first time that our own Nantucket Daffodil Flower Show is actually approved by the American Daffodil Society. Mary says she absolutely views the show as Jean MacAusland’s legacy. What a glorious way to be remembered! Daffodil Lady’s Love Affair