Photos from the Public Memorial Service

Thank you to everyone who joined us

to celebrate Tasha Tudor's life on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at the Adams Family Farm in Wilmington, Vermont.  Upon arrival, the guests mingled in the open barn with some of Tasha's family members including daughter Bethany, son Seth, his wife Marjorie, their son Winslow, his wife Amy, and Tasha's grandson Benjamin.   The guests did their best to capture their emotions by signing the 'guest book' which consisted of strips of fabric that will be sewn into Maypole ribbons.   The tableau on the stage included important objects from Tasha's life such as a rocking chair and table, antiques, books, flowers from Tasha's garden, dress, apron and spinning wheel.

The ceremony began with Jill Adams's poignant overview of Tasha's life and just before dusk, her invitation to take a quiet walk to the large pond in the lovely Vermont woods.  Even though it was officially raining by this point, the dedicated guests were not deterred and their love for Tasha became even more apparent.

 The group circled the large pond, each taking a candle which had been attached to a small slice of hemlock for floating on the pond. Jill introduced the speaker, Tasha's dear friend and renowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar.  Rosemary spoke eloquently of her memories and time with Tasha and commented that 'Tasha was a bit too modest to put up with a Memorial Service in her honor, and did her best to quell our dedications by bringing a rainy evening.'

Amy read several entries from the online Memorial Website before Jill and several farmgirls of all ages led baby goats and sheep to the pond where they bleated with curiosity.  The baby goats (kids) are descended from Tasha's beloved Nubian goats who retired to Jill's farm.

You might imagine that it was a bit hard to light the candles, but we all had a chance to use our imagination and put Tasha's example of 'making the best out of life' into practice. There was, however, the loveliest bat swooping about the pond enjoying life to the fullest.

Those who walked back to the barn had their way lighted by the lanterns carried by the farmgirls. Some walked and some rode in the wagon back to the shelter and the bonfire, where we all had a chance to dry off and enjoy warm apple cider and fresh apple-cider donuts as we watched the slide show of images from Tasha's life.  As the rain grew softer and disappeared, we rested in calm and peacefulness together.

Photographs by Benjamin Tudor

Find out more about the gracious family at the Adams Family Farm