Wednesday, April 5, 2017

In Memoriam

My Dear Mary passed away Saturday Night.  I will miss her more than she'll ever know.   She has been such an important part of my personal and quilting life.  Today would have been her 87th Birthday.
After moving to the east coast, we enjoyed a nearly yearly visit in Illinois.  
 At the AQS show in Paducah to see my Jubilee quilt 2015.
in NYC at the Red & White exhibit
My Last photo taken on a visit in October with our Alice Payne Quilts.
I took this secret photo on that visit.  We loved to sit and look through and discuss quilt books together.
I made the Sparrow quilt in memory of my Mother, Cathy.  It was Mary's idea to the sparrow make it a moniker of my work.    So, you see, getting the tattoo was a tribute to these special women.

If you missed it in my last post, here is the sparrow story along with the tattoo photo.

The Sparrow 
by:  Paul Simon

Who will love a little Sparrow
Who’s traveled far and cries for rest?
“Not I,” said the Oak Tree
“I won’t share my branches with no sparrow’s nest
And my blanket of leaves won’t warm her old breast”

Who will love a little Sparrow
And who will speak a kindly word?
“Not I, “ said the Swan
“The entire idea is utterly absurd
I’d be laughed at and scorned if the other Swans heard”

And who will take pity in his heart,
And who will feed a starving Sparrow?
“Not I,” said the Golden Wheat
“I would if I could, but I cannot, I know
I need all my grain to prosper and grow”

Who will love a little Sparrow?
Will no one write her eulogy?
“I will, “ said the Earth
“For all I’ve created returns unto me
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be”
Being Mary's friend has been a gift and privilege.
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" - winnie the pooh

God Speed Mary until we meet again.
xo

59 comments:

Jan said...

Mary was such a warm, funny person. I have such good memories of her from my few years in Chicago. I know she'll be missed by her many quilting friends and send my condolences, Barb. She treasured your special friendship.

Julierose said...

Condolences on your loss, Barb...hugs, Julierose

CecileD said...

I remember her very well and yes, dear Barb she loved you a lot !
What a touching post and a wonderful tribute to Mary.... she is an Angel now but she will continue to give you great advices !
Just remember the good moments with her..... big hugs my friend.
Good luck...

Lori said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. As you know close friends leave such a hole when they are no longer physically here to share with. Hugs to you my friend.

Sharon said...

Big hugs going out to you, I'm so sorry for your loss. Mary will live on in your work. My condolences.

Chantal said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. May the memories of dear Mary keep your heart warm.

rondiquilts said...

Beautiful ladies, beautiful friendship. May we all be so fortunate as to have a friendship like that.
Rondi

Quilting Babcia said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, but now she lives without pain or suffering and knows eternal joy. The moments you spent with her will remain precious in your memory.

Erin said...

These pictures are wonderful and I love what you wrote! Thinking about a sparrow tattoo ��

Debra @ Life is a Stitch said...

My condolences, Barb. Hugs from Ohio.

Barb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Barb said...

Already have it. Was on FB

Wendy Caton Reed said...

I am so sorry for the pain you are feeling now. What a wonderful tribute to her memory. Peace be with you both.

Lin McQ said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Barb.

Dixie Howard said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your special friend. Thank you for sharing your memories of her with us, and the story of the sparrow.

Marj said...

Good memories to tide you over until you meet your friend again.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story.

Sue said...

So sorry to hear you have lost a dear friend Barb. Memories of who we treasure never fad !
Take care xxx

Amy said...

My heart and prayers go out to you and Mary's family. Although we never met, I enjoyed getting to know Mary through you. Grace and peace.

Janet O. said...

This is a lovely tribute to a dear friend. I didn't know Mary, but I can feel your love for her in this post.

Janet said...

You have some lovely photos together! Thanks for sharing some of your special memories with us. Sending hugs

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I have tears in my eyes reading this. What a lovely tribute to a special friend.

Nifty Quilts said...

I'm so sorry to hear that your dear friend and quilting buddy has passed. I have a similar friend/quilting mentor who has made my quilting life what it is today. I already fear the day that she is gone. You are honoring her and counting all the blessings she has given you in many beautiful ways. Hugs.

Jennie in GA said...

Beautifully said. And how touching is the sparrow story.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

A wonderful post! So sorry for your loss! Good thing you have all your quilts that hold many memories!

Mego said...

Hugs, prayers and BIG THOUGHTS coming at you. I've followed you both for years.

Barbara said...

Oh, Barb what a lovely tribute to your friend. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

What a touching tribute - with precious photographs - so sorry for your loss.

Aunt 'Reen said...

So sorry for your loss Barb! My heart goes out to you. Sending you comforting hugs and love! May you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared with your dear friend!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear that your beloved friend and confidante passed away. I always enjoyed reading about your adventures. How blessed you are to have precious memories of her. My warmest thoughts are with you. Kelley Secrest

Diane said...

Beautiful words for a dear friend. No doubt she felt equally blessed by your friendship. Hugs to you. 💕

Barbara Black said...

I am so sorry on the loss of your beloved friend.

Kyle said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Barb. You had a special kindred spirit with Mary. What a blessing to have a friendship like that.

Karen said...

Hard to lose a close friend like your Mary. She must have been a very special person. You will have a lot of memories of your friendship.

Ann in PA said...

Barb, Your beautiful tribute to Mary speaks volumes about your friendship. Keep a happy heart full of wonderful memories. Sending hugs & prayers.

miriam said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know she was very special lady to you. Miriam in a Texas.

Quilter Kathy said...

What a very special friend, and such a terrible loss for you!
Sending you big quilty hugs!

vickiroma said...

This was such a special post about your dear friend a Mary. My heart goes out to you. It is so wonderful that you both treasured each other...that's so rare these days. Just know that she'll always be there for you in spirit and every time you think of her or see a sparrow. Sending warm thoughts your way.

jane nj/wi said...

Dear Barb you opened a part of quilting to me in NJ with a stellar, diverse group of quilters. We all attended in smaller group the red and white amazement in NYC. You have a terrific catalog in your heart and head to flip the pages of with the times you and Mary adventured. Many how wonderful to hear she inspired you to create a special motif for the link that never broke between you and your mom, we all should be lucky to develop that special bond. I will settle for enjoying your company before we both headed out from NJ. Hugs Jane

Phyllis said...

A beautiful, loving and touching tribute to a very special person and as I read it a very special friendship. As a person with only a small family I am painfully aware of the importance of friendships. The Winnie the Pooh quote says it all. I wish you a lot of strength coping with this loss. May you find comfort in those wonderful memories.

Chris said...

So very sorry about the passing of your dear friend. May her memory be a blessing.

gailss said...

So very sad and know it will be hard but the good memories will always be with you....my prayers are with you Barb.

Cathy said...

I am so sorry for your loss. You are fortunate to have so many wonderful memories. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs

Diane said...

Sheila called me Tuesday night with the sad news of Mary's passing. We just got our internet up after 3 weeks without and yours is the first post I read. What a loving tribute to our dear friend Mary! God puts special people in our lives when we need them most. That's who you and Mary were for each other ~ heaven sent.

Donna~~ said...

I'm very sorry for your loss and that you had to lose such a special friend. Such friendship is all too rare, and you were very lucky to have shared it, and to be wise enough to cherish it.

Monica said...

This is sad news, Barb. Best wishes.

Linda in NC said...

I am sorry for your loss, Barb; what a treasure of a friendship you had!

OPQuilt said...

I can only echo everyone else's comments to you, as you give a sad farewell for a treasured friend. Thanks for writing so glowingly about everything you do, so that we feel we know her too.

O'Quilts said...

Sad and sorry...a dear friend now lives inside your heart

Janet said...

So very sorry for your loss.

OTquilter said...

A wonderful tribute to your wonderful friend. I'm so glad I got to hear retreat stories about you and Mary recently. Memories are truly a balm for grief. XO

Shelley said...

The Sparrow..ah,yes..my sympathies on Mary's passing. I had wondered where she was, noticing the name change of your blog but didn't feel right asking. ((Big Hugs)) for you Barb♡

Debra said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear, dear friend. Sometimes there are no words. Hugs to you.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I agree with Winnie the Pooh...but never the less...your loss is not any easier. Your post is a wonderful tribute to your friendship. I think you'll find comfort in rereading it in the future when you miss Mary. Hugs being sent your way.

Angie said...

I'm so sorry to hear you've lost one of your guiding spirits. Sending hugs to you and a tip of the champagne glass to Mary.

Thimbleanna said...

Darn It Barb -- you've made me cry! What a beautiful post. You're lucky you have so many pictures of you and Mary together. I'm so sorry for your loss. XO

Sandra Henderson said...

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Matthew 6:26

I'm so sorry. Keep sewing..... hugs

Roxanne said...

Sending prayers and hugs. A friendship like that will continue to be a light in your life.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Oh Barb, I'm sorry to be so late at reading this post. Sending you love and hugs. What a beautiful friendship you and Mary have enjoyed. I have no doubt she'll still be beside you as you stitch and flip through quilting books.

Sujata Shah said...

I am so sorry for your loss, Barb. What a beautiful tribute to Mary. You have so many memories to carry along and I know they will always stay with you as you continue your journey. Sending love. xo