Maria Asta Sadauskas

Remembering Asta To plant is to believe in tomorrow Maria Asta Sadauskas was, born May 30, 1947 in Oldenberg Germany in a displaced person’s camp following WWII. At age 2 her family traveled by ship to the US and settled in Decatur Illinois, after attending Catholic grade school and high school there, she continued her studies at the University of Illinois Champaign. Asta came to the Alton area and eventually started the Greenery on West Delmar in Godfrey with life partner Bob Thomas. For 20 years they had an active landscaping nursery enjoying happy times together until Bob’s death in 2007. Asta passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Barnes hospital in St. Louis. Asta was an extremely private person who held advanced degrees in art and horticultural studies. Her business, “Greenery,” was in many ways an extension of herself. Her home was on the grounds of the business, so literally, she lived and breathed “plants and flowers.” Although understated and humble, Asta was very important to the vision of the beautification of the Alton, Godfrey area...beautifying it one garden or park at a time. She was always willing to talk with anyone about how and what to plant, what would thrive in our climate and what would not!! She educated people or encouraged them to educate themselves. Once when a customer mispronounced the plant “liriope.” She told him it rhymed with “calliope,” an amusing way to help him remember. She did not just sell plants, she found out about the customer’s yard, sunshine levels, water, winds, and other plants to suggest a new plant for them. In many ways she placed her leaf babies in “adoptive forever homes.” Asta worked many projects sponsored by the Jennie D. Hayner Library Association, a local private foundation. Some twenty years ago Asta worked with them to design and plant the Jennie D. Hayner Park in downtown Alton, often called the “Pocket Park” across from the library itself. Each year she maintained it and planted new bulbs and flowers for the enjoyment of the community. Each year she decorated it at Christmas for the community she loved. That mini park hosted numerous events such as an astronomy outreach day where an astronomer with a solar-scope showed people the sun, live and in real time, in a beautiful setting. The Jennie D’s are now in the middle of another project to which Asta had been giving her time, attention, expertise and talent. This was to create another beautiful corner of peace, beauty and joy in downtown Alton in a park adjacent to the genealogy building of Hayner Library. Just weeks ago, she sent lovely hand written notes to the board members about her thoughts and suggestions. Although not sure exactly how...the project will go forward this spring as Asta would have wanted. The Jennie D’s will somehow complete the design work she proposed and make it literally come to life. Each member of their Board will miss her very much as will her myriad customers. She was a wonderful and integral part of our community. While we will miss her all year ...it will be particularly impactful this spring as nature begins to BLOOM once again!!! Asta wasn’t about glitz or glitter, just about simple natural beauty and solid stable roots that would survive and thrive here in our area. Her Greenery was a community meeting place, a place to rest and renew one’s spirit. How many of us would sit under the little roof area of the greenhouse and cut paper grocery bags for Asta, so she would have bags to put plants in for customers to take home. How many of us unloaded truck deliveries, made soil, planted plugs of little hostas. How many of us just sat and talked. It was a village helping her and at times her helping the village - to make it more beautiful. Asta’s working uniform was a long or short-sleeved tee shirt, depending on the weather, and denim bib overalls. A battered straw hat and rubber boots usually completed the ensemble. Asta drove by customer’s yards periodically to check on plants or make suggestions. Occasionally “unwanted” or slightly bedraggled plants appeared on people’s porches for them to care for and to bring them up to full health. Some were even graced with climbing red roses that needed a good home. Many of us have realized that none of us knew her whole story. Most knew she was very proud of her Lithuanian heritage, which accompanied her interesting last name. Each of us was given a snippet or two of background. We are hoping as a collective group, we might just know most of it. Asta was much loved and has been a large, contributing member of the community. One pair of customers, for many years, were blessed to have her accept their invitation to spend Christmas afternoon with them and their other guests. Asta regularly decorated their front yard light with evergreens and red ribbons. A matching wreath would grace their front door as her contribution to their decorations. Asta had a wry sense of humor and engaged in their spirited discussions, to the enjoyment of all. This past Christmas her absence was felt, and she truly will be missed. This community and her extended family of friends and customers were blessed to have Asta’s spirit, knowledge and love, which she shared liberally. She planted seeds of beauty, compassion, renewal, and tranquility. Asta may not be here in the flesh but she lives on in countless yards and parks. Honor Asta by planting something beautiful and helping it grow. Asta leaves behind 2 brothers, Linas Sadauskas, wife Dalia and their children, Victor, Alex, Nora, Lilija, and Marisa of Wheaton Illinois and Zigmas Sadauskas, wife Angie and their children Justin and Viki of Detroit Michigan as well as many friends and loyal customers. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Family and Friends are invited to gather at Lovejoys, 401 Piasa St, in Alton from 2:00 to 5:00 pm to celebrate Asta’s life by sharing stories and love over good food and drink. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Maria Asta Sadauskas

May 30, 1947 - February 6, 2019