I think my shasta daisy curse may be lifted- I've got survivors!
Looks like the sprig out of the clump that survived last year not only re-grew into a clump, but has lots of green pips sprouting now. There is also another I purchased late in the season last year as a small plant that has survived. I believe I will see daisies this summer!
Not sure what the key to survival is though. We didn't have as much snow this year, maybe the ton of snow that covered them for so long last year was the issue? I did't mulch last fall- perhaps that helped.