Daffodils planted as memorial in Butler
Posted on: April 23, 2019 | Written By: Doug Oster |
A stiff breeze blows through thousands of bright yellow daffodils, making them dance as Emily Milich-Franusich and her husband Michael Franusich walk hand in hand through a two-acre field of blooms as their cat Sophie leads the way in Butler Township, Butler County.
Since 2015 the couple has spent their fall planting these bulbs in honor of Emily’s sister Marsha Milich, who passed away the same year.
Emily Milich-Franusich and her husband Michael Franusich walk hand and hand with their cat Sophie through a two acre field planted with daffodils in memory of Emily’s sister Marsha Milich. Photos by Doug Oster
A photo of Marsha Milich who is memorialized by a two acre field of daffodils planted by Emily Milich-Franusich and her husband Michael Franusich in Butler Township, Butler County.
“Marsha was a wonderful person who unfortunately had a dramatic brain injury (after a fall),” Emily says sadly. Some of her ashes were buried with the flowers and the rest are with their mother.
“We’ve always loved daffodils,” Emily said with a little smile. “My mom has planted daffodils all through the woods here. They come back in the spring; it’s a renewal of life. (Marsha) was an organ donor so she renewed life for several people.”
Michael has a rich history with daffodils too as he planted with his mother. When they bloomed during his childhood, they were called “Mikey flowers,” not daffodils, around his house. He was also taken to Daffodil Hill at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which astonished him. These flowers, though, have an even more special cathartic purpose.
“I felt it was a lot better to have something interactive to have here,” he says. “Marsha was a free spirit, loved being outside and loved gardening. It was her favorite thing.”
The two acres were called Marsha’s Field for years and now are a showplace of spring flowers in her honor.
“It’s a living memorial,” Emily says, “and I think of her when she was well, vibrant and full of life.”
Emily’s parents, Matilda and Michael Milich, originally bought the old Duffy farm in 1948. Michael Milich was returning from the war and Matilda had saved money while working in the steel mill. Eventually they started selling off plots to their children.
Since the start of their memorial daffodil planting, the Franusichs have added more than 10,000 bulbs that they source locally.
Emily Milich-Franusich and her husband Michael Franusich planted a two acre field with daffodils in memory of Emily’s sister Marsha Milich. This plaque is at the front of the field.
Through the years, their planting technique has improved. Early on it was one hole and one bulb with a bulb planter, but now the pair work together adding more than one in each planting hole. Michael punches the holes, Emily drops in a few bulbs, and he pushes them down with his boot. For patterns, they use a survey marker that sprays a mark on the grass, which is where the bulbs are planted.
“We got better and better at it,” he says.
Now the couple can plant three to four hundred per hour, and there’s not much that slows them down according to Emily.
“I did it the fall I got my knees replaced,” she says laughing, “one in July, one in November. Within a week of the November one I was sitting in the dirt planting.”
Emily Milich-Franusich is seen here planting daffodils right after knee replacement surgery. Photo courtesy of Emily Milich-Franusich
The thrill of the spring season brings with it anticipation for the couple.
“The cheerfulness of the daffodils, we get so excited when we see them coming up,” she says. “We just go nuts. Before you know it, they’re all blooming.”
Emily Milich-Franusich talk to visitors who drove to the area to see a two acre field with daffodils planted in memory of Emily’s sister Marsha Milich.
It’s not uncommon to see cars slow down, stop, take pictures and even let their children out to run through the paths between the daffodils. On this day a car stopped and Emily started to chat with them, finding out they knew her father. They came specifically to see the blooms.
“I hope they smile and say, (gasp) ‘look at that,’” she says of the beautiful yellow flowers. “I hope it brings them the joy we get from seeing the color and the life.”
The night before there was a storm on the horizon.
“I wasn’t worrying about our house blowing over,” Emily says. “I was worried about the daffodils. I’ve touched every one of these bulbs, they are like my children.”
Emily Milich-Franusich and her husband Michael Franusich planted a two acre field with daffodils in memory of Emily’s sister Marsha Milich.
She talks about walking from her childhood home to the bus stop, growing up here with her sister and brother.
“She’s my only sister, I idolized her. I want it to be a remembrance of her love of gardening.”
Looking towards the family homestead she continues, “I will hopefully take my last breath in that house whenever my time comes, hopefully not too soon … we’ve got a lot of planting to do.”
Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.
Details: The field of flowers is located at the intersection of S. Duffy Road and Preston Drive in Butler Township, Butler County.
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