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PILZ -- Erma Deane Pilz, 99,died Sunday, July 15, 2007 at her residence in Sunrise Assisted Living. She was born March 31, 1908 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, daughter of the late Cyrus Elwood and Ida Deane. She was a graduate of Morgan Park high School in Chicago and earned her teacher's certificate from Chicago's Teachers college and did further graduate work at the University of Chicago. During those years, she was highly regarded as an equestrian and rode frequently with the cavalry detachment of the Army National Guard. Later, she was long active in botanical research and in conservation efforts. She frequently served as an expert in the identification of fungi and various wild flowers, especially pentstemons. Erma was one of the charter organizers of the effort to create the Indiana National Seashore. A resident of Albuquerque for 40 years, she enjoyed a wide circle of friends and was active in several local botanical groups. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Pilz and two sisters, Doris Varnes and Norma Deane. Erma is survived by a son, Alfred and his wife, Connie Ney Pilz of Ligonier, Pennsylvania. She has four grandchildren: Kerry Pilz of Alexandria, VA, Kurt Pilz of Atlanta, Georgia, Stephen Pilz of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and Matt Pilz of Atlanta, Georgia. There are nine great-grandchildren: Josh, Jessie, Austin, Evan, Ethan, Noah, Savannah, Sadie, and Kadin. A Memorial Service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2007 in the recreation room of Sunrise Assisted Living at 4910 Tramway Ridge Drive NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Nature Conservancy, or The Native Plant Society of New Mexico.
        Published on: Sun July 29, 2007