MILAN, Italy: Journalist, writer, biologist and Orticolario expert judge, Anna Maria Botticelli, has died on Tuesday March 31 aged 66 after a battle with cancer.
In a statement, Arturo Croci, the former publisher and owner of Italy’s leading horticultural business magazine Flortecnica, said that Anna Maria was a gifted journalist who wrote for several Italian magazines such as garden magazine Gardenia, the women’s lifestyle title Donna Moderna and reported for the daily newspaper Il Corriere della Sera. He added that she is also the author of richly illustrated books on bonsai trees and the Negombo gardens on the island of Ischia. In December 2013, working together with the skilled photographer Fabio Petroni, Anna Maria presented the world of orchids in all its glory in a richly illustrated book, entitled Orchidee and published in English/Italian. She had soft spot for orchids, orchid promotion and orchid micro propagation and practically every tissue culture laboratory from the 1980s was set up under her guidance.
Croci, who first met Anna Maria at the inaugural edition of Miflor in 1988, has good memories of her style, rigorous standards and profound commitment to the very best of scientific and journalistic values. He added that as a biologist, she saw fact-checking as a part of science journalists’ mission. In 2005, Anna Maria was presented with the coveted Garofano d’Argento (Silver Carnation) award as recognition of her hard work and commitment to the ornamental horticulture and gardening industry. Direct and not afraid to speak up, Anna Maria had her character. “It was not always an easy character,” recalled Arturo Croci. He added, “If there was time to relax she was quick to respond and willing to help in any way she could and ready to talk for hours. But sometimes, she got so busy to the point where you wouldn’t even dare to talk to her on the phone for two seconds. But we kept in touch with each other all the time, so our friendship lasted forever. Dear Anna Maria, where you are know I don’t know. But I do know that your spirit lives on in the flowers that every spring return and bloom, year after year. You were my friend and will always be on my mind and in my heart.”