Irene B. Hoadley was born and grew up in Hondo, TX. After retiring from a career in librarianship, she and her husband relocated to San Marcos. In 1998, she completed the Master Gardener class. After completion of the class, she and a colleague took over the responsibility for the Native Plant Demonstration Garden located at the Texas Agricultural Extension Office in San Marcos. Responsibilities included designing the areas, obtaining plants, installing them and caring for them. This commitment lasted until 2014. During this same period, Irene handled the finances for the local funds managed by the Hays County Extension Service. Those responsibilities ceased when the State office took over those activities. When it was determined in 2016 that the AgriLife Extension Office in San Marcos would be moved to Wimberley, Irene maintained the rose bushes located at San Marcos for about two years. Then Irene, along with Joe Elizarde, transplanted all of the rose bushes to the Wimberley site. Irene was also active with Habitat for Humanity, overseeing the landscaping of each new build for over twenty years; that usually entailed selecting the plants, installing them and educating the home owner on their care and maintenance.
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