Sue Ketner Gelarden
Mexican plum (Prunus Mexicana)
Dedicated in memory of Sue Ketner Gelarden (April 11, 1945 – February 28, 2023) by her colleagues in Education for Ministry
This Mexican plum was given in grateful memory of Sue Gelarden by alumni of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program, who benefited greatly from her mentorship and passion for the program. EfM meets in the Community Room nearby and this tree welcomes current and future students to class every week, just as Sue did in years past.
Sue Ketner Gelarden (April 11, 1945 – February 28, 2023) was born in Concord to John and Mary Ketner, and lived most of her life in Kannapolis. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a master’s degree and worked as a certified rehabilitation counselor.
Her church family was of great importance to her. Sue was very active in the fellowship of All Saints’. She was a leader in this parish, serving on vestry, coordinating Pastoral Care and Senior Adult Ministries, offering communion as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Eucharistic Visitor, and leading the Spirituality section of the recent Capital Campaign. Sue discovered EfM while living in Atlanta and became a lifelong advocate for this engaging program of study. She mentored the All Saints’ EfM group several times over the past few years and lent an extra-special touch to the class by baking cakes for each member on their birthday.
When not engaged in church activity, she loved to travel. Whether it was local trips around North Carolina or travels abroad, she found much to interest, educate, and entertain herself. She was also an avid animal lover; the annual “Blessing of the Animals” was a favorite service. She loved cooking and entertaining, and many people enjoyed her fantastic hospitality.
Sue was feisty, kind, energetic, attentive, patient, authentic, and funny. Her presence at All Saints, especially among EfM, is greatly missed.
Description: Mexican plum tree is a single-trunked tree native to North America that grows 15-35 feet tall and spreads to 25 ft. It provides a beautiful spring display of fragrant, white flowers which may produce dark red or purple fruit in the fall. The tree forms an irregular canopy and has thorny branches. The deciduous leaves turn a showy orange color in fall before dropping.
Leaves: Simple, alternate, up to 2-4 inches long, ovate to narrower shape with serrate markings.
Flowers: Abundant, fragrant, white flowers appear before the leaves in March or April
Fruit type: drupe, fleshy round 1-3 inches, red or purple color
Habitat: Will grow in sun to part shade. Generally low water requirements, this particular tree grows with no additional watering. Prefers dry to moist, well-drained soils. It is cold tolerant. The tree’s native habitat is dry to moist thin woods, river bottoms and prairies.
Wildlife Value: The plums attract birds, mammals. The nectar attracts bees.
Uses: This is an attractive, aromatic, showy accent tree.