JoEllen Gienger was known for being full of life.

She loved children and nature. She loved working in her garden and the town of Smithfield, where she grew up. Daylilies were her favorite flower.

Gienger died earlier this year of pancreatic cancer, which she fought valiantly most of last year.

“When she was sick, she would come in and we’d all tell her to go home,” said Les Parks, general manager at Smithfield Gardens, where Gienger worked. “She still outworked us.”

Gienger worked at Smithfield Gardens for 25 years, rising through the ranks from cashier to greenhouse worker to manager and finally general manager.

“I don’t think you could have found anybody that loved life more than she did,” said Parks, who assumed Gienger’s old position when she died.

After months of fighting the disease, Gienger’s pancreatic cancer spread to her lungs in November. She decided to discontinue chemotherapy and enjoy the rest of her time with her family. She died shortly after Christmas.

In her memory, Smithfield Gardens is going all out for this year’s Relay for Life, set for May 13-14.

An employee who is also an artist painted a “Tree of Hope” on one wall of the garden store. The staff is selling decorations to customers — $1 for leaves, $5 for apples and $10 for bluebirds. People who purchase the decorations can write a message on them or leave them blank.

“We’re trying to make it fun,” Parks said. “She wouldn’t want us to wallow in self-pity.”

In addition, Smithfield Gardens will plant the “JoEllen Gienger Hope Garden” at Relay for Life.

“It will be a real but temporary garden, full of plants and flowers for the event,” Parks said.

The lighted tent will bloom with photos and memories of survivors and those who have lost their lives to cancer.

In addition, Smithfield Gardens is even rededicating one of its own gardens — in the daylily area, of course — in Gienger’s honor. Since her favorite color was blue, a couple of blue chairs already have been placed in the garden, and a blue birdbath is on order, Parks said.

Customers are encouraged to come in throughout spring to donate through the Tree of Hope. Donations will be accepted until June 30, just after the annual Daylily Festival, which Gienger helped found, on June 18.

For more information, call Smithfield Gardens at 238-2511.

For more information on the Suffolk Rockin’ Relay for Life, visit www.suffolkrockinrelay.org.