Pioneer honoured with rose

Photo: Contributed

This is expected to be the Catherine Schubert rose.

The rose is already connected to pioneer Catherine O'Hare Schubert and now an Armstrong group is raising funds to have a bright pink rose named in her honour.

Schubert followed the Overlanders to B.C. in 1862, the only woman among 150 prospectors who made the grueling journey to the Interior.

“As they finished their journey coming through the Rockies, they existed on rosehips and berries,” said Janet Irving who is spearheading the drive. “When her baby came along, she named her Rose.”

Schubert is said to have gone into labour while on a raft on the Thompson River. She was taken ashore and delivered her baby with the help of a First Nations woman.

Schubert settled in Spallumcheen and later moved to Armstrong.

Armstrong's sister city is Rathfriland, Northern Ireland, which is also Schubert's hometown.

“The (rose) project grew out of our sister city ties....It is quite the process and involves quite a bit of money,” said Irving.

However, the breeder, Select Roses of Langley, “fell in love with the whole story” and has greatly reduced the price, she said.

The group has already been pledged $3,500 of the $5,000 needed to name the rose.

For those who would like to donate some funds, they can do so by going to the Armstrong Spalllumcheen Museum and Art Gallery on 3415 Pleasant Valley Road in Armstrong, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. to make a donation and get an income tax receipt. Pledges are expected to end Nov. 30.

Irving said the funds are needed as soon as possible.

If all goes as planned, a limited number of Catherine Schubert roses will be available in the spring, with more following a year later.