Friends say 'Happy Birthday' with orchids
MUNCIE — Betty Kendall's friends are marking her 100th birthday with something as beautiful, unique and long-lived as she is: orchids.
Specifically lady's-slipper orchids to add to Ball State University's landmark collection.
Among multiple celebrations for Kendall's 100 years — including a birthday party Sunday at Westminster Village attended (appropriately) by hundreds of people — is the creation of The Betty Kendall Lady's-slipper Orchid Collection for the Wheeler-Thanhauser Orchid Collection and Species Bank in Ball State's Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse.
Organizers hoped to collect enough donations to add every type of lady's-slipper orchid to the BSU collection, which already is the largest collegiate orchid collection in the country, as a "Living Tribute" to Kendall, according to Gay Nation, an organizer of the party and orchid effort.
Cheryl LeBlanc, curator and orchid research technician at Ball State, acknowledged a complete array of all the 175+ varieties of lady's-slippers might not be possible, since some types aren't for sale, but said the new plants — some already purchased for the greenhouse — would be significant additions to the collection.
Initiated by others in her honor, the orchid collection is an ideal birthday tribute to Kendall because of her lifelong dedication to Ball State, education and the community, according to Michael Maggiotto, dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities at Ball State.
The idea also has roots (so to speak) in Kendall's love of travel, her trademark high heels (hence, "lady's-slippers") and the fact that "She goes way back with orchids," according to Pat Zeabart, another organizer of the fund for the collection.
Kendall was born Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Wingate on Feb. 14, 1916, in Albany, and moved to Muncie with her parents at age 2, according to Nation. A graduate of Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College, she taught at Emerson Elementary School before marrying Thomas Lonsdale Kendall. Their family lived elsewhere while Thomas served in the military, but later moved back to Muncie, where in 1976 Betty Kendall became the first woman to serve as director of First Merchants Bank, where her father had been president years earlier.
During Sunday's party, Terry Whitt Bailey presented a proclamation for "Betty Kendall Day in the city of Muncie" that cited, among other things, her presence at every type of Ball State event, from athletics to arts to the greenhouse, and her involvement in "more activities than people half her age" including Habitat for Humanities builds, clubs and committees. "Miss Betty, Valentine's Day is YOUR day," Bailey told her.
Sitting on a high stool in front of a wall of windows, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren amid displays of orchid-colored balloons, Kendall on Sunday afternoon greeted friends of all ages who waited in a line stretching out the door and down the hallway at Westminster for a turn to wish her well.
Asked for her reaction to the celebration in her honor, a smiling Kendall said she was overwhelmed, particularly by the orchid collection.
Tributes to Kendall were planned to continue even after Sunday's birthday reception. On Monday, BSU Interim President Terry King was scheduled to present the Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Collection at Rinard Orchid Greenhouse.
Contributions to the Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Collection Fund can be mailed to the Ball State Foundation, Attn: Kassie Cosgrove, 2800 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, Ind. 47306. On the memo line, indicate Fund #908 or write Betty Kendall Orchid Collection.
Contact planning editor Robin Gibson at 765-213-5855 and follow her on Twitter @RobinGibsonTSP.
