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