Hi Everyone,

I just received an email from Gaye Barkla, wife of Ray Hooker. She told me that he was taken to the hospital in December, diagnosed with cancer, and died on February 5, 2011. Ray was an avid willow collector and researched his findings with great care. He and I exchanged many emails with attached photos and information, and I have many of his photos in my files. Many of his finds in New Zealand were by makers and/or with decorations not seen in the U.S. I will certainly miss him and his great generosity in sharing his findings and information with me. There may be others in our group who corresponded with Ray. His wife asked me to convey her message of his passing to you.