Two Floral Industry Leaders Die

The industry lost two floral industry leaders over the past couple of weeks in Katharyn Elizabeth “Betsy” Demaree, 77, of Syndicate Sales, Inc., and Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata, 100, formerly president of Mt. Eden Floral Company.

Katharyn Elizabeth “Betsy” Demaree Dies

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Katharyn Elizabeth “Betsy” (Fell) Demaree, 77, of Syndicate Sales, Inc., in Kokomo, Ind., passed away on October 26, 2015, surrounded by her family.

With a love of nature and beauty, Demaree was an avid gardener, and dedicated many years to the floral industry with her husband Del Demaree, at the company they founded, Syndicate Sales, Inc. Demaree is survived by her five children, sixteen grandchildren and two siblings. Her daughter, Laura Shinall, currently heads up Syndicate Sales, Inc., as president, and is a board member for the American Floral Endowment (AFE), and AFE’s Public Relations and Development Committee Chair.

Recently, AFE announced a new internship program specifically aimed to attract business students to the floral industry. The business internship was established in 2015 by a significant contribution from Del Demaree, Chairman of Syndicate Sales, Inc. Demaree is a past AFE Chairman with 60-plus years of experience in the floral industry, with business acumen and an unsurpassed commitment to the industry.

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Funeral services for Katharyn Elizabeth “Betsy” Demaree will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2015, at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W. Mulberry St. A private burial will take place in Albright Cemetery at a later date. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo.

Two florists will handle the arrangements — Banner Flower House – 765-459-5166/866-459-5166 and Bowden Flowers – (765) 453-0659.

Cards for the family may be sent to: Laura Shinall, 95 Iron Bottom Lane, Charleston, SC 29492 or to Syndicate Sales, P.O. Box 756, Kokomo, IN 46903.

Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata Dies

Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 31, 2015. He was at home, with family present. His family says, they are grateful that he had a distinguished and fulfilling career in the flower industry that he loved so much. Shibata had many fond memories and cherished friends from his career.

Formerly president of Mt. Eden Floral Company, Shibata was always passionate about flowers and business. Although retired for many years, his friends and colleagues could often still catch him at Mt. Eden Floral’s store in San Jose, taking a look at the flowers in the cooler, or catching a peek at one of Mt. Eden’s design shows. Work, for Shibata, was always more than just a job.

In May, family and friends joined together in Palo Alto, CA to celebrate Yoshimi Shibata’s 100th birthday. The celebration was a heartfelt reunion of people from various walks in Shimi’s life, some connected by family ties, others through friendships forged in the earlier days of working in the floral industry. But all similarly touched by Shimi’s life, career and friendship.

In celebration of Yoshimi’s career and friendships formed through his involvement in the floral industry, the family put together a short video looking back at highlights from his career. The video also touches on some of the intricacies of the floral industry that still come into play today.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2 PM at the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, located at: 2325 Pacific Ave., Alameda, California 94501.

Cards for the family may be sent to: Mt Eden Floral Co, 2124 Bering Dr., San Jose, CA 95131; Attn: Shibata Family

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