Last night I lost a very special friend. My oldest quilting buddy and mentor, Mrs. Betty.
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| Mrs. Betty |
Mrs. Betty and I worked together at a preschool in Tulsa, many, many years ago. My youngest son was still in this preschool, when we met. Mrs. Betty became an honorary grandmother to both my boys.
In September 2001, a lady at my church offered a quilting class. I signed up, and brought Mrs. Betty along with me. We learned how to quilt together. In 2003, I moved to Illinois, and Mrs. Betty continued on with our quilting group, formed from the ladies who took the class together. They continued to meet for several more years.
Several years ago, Mrs. Betty couldn't see well enough to keep on quilting, but, supported me in my quilting efforts. Mrs. Betty didn't have a computer, so, a few years ago I started printing off my blog posts, and mailing them to her.
Over the years, Mrs. Betty would request that I make something for her, or her daughters. One of the things she wanted me to make was a quilt in one of her quilting magazines, 'Fat Cats in the City'.
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| Mrs. Betty with her new quilt |
When a quilting blogger buddy taught me how to make purses, Mrs. Betty wanted one. Hubby was with me when I took this purse to her.
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| Mrs. Betty and John |
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| Mrs. Betty with her new purse |
My youngest son started college at
Oklahoma State University (Go Cowboys!). Betty and her daughters were fans of the
University of Oklahoma, instead. Great rivalry between the 2 schools. Mrs. Betty asked for some OU purses for her daughters. If anyone else has asked, I wouldn't have made them, but, I'd do most anything for Mrs. Betty.
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| first OU purses |
Several years ago, I made a Leg Lamp mini quilt for my stepfather. Melvin loves the movie 'A Christmas Story' and anything that is in it. I decided to make 2 mini quilts at the same time (bad habit of mine to make 2 of most things), and, when Betty saw the pictures, she claimed the 2nd Leg Lamp quilt.
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| Mrs. Betty and her new Leg Lamp quilt |
I learned how to make a different purse back in 2016. After seeing pictures of that purse, Mrs. Betty mailed me more OU fabric, to make some new purses for her daughters.
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| OU purse #1 |
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| OU purse #2 |
Mrs. Betty also asked me to make a quilt for her soon to be newest great-grandbaby. She loved all my churn dash quilts that I've made over the years (easy and fun to make).
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| for Mrs. Betty's newest great-grandbaby |
Of course, I've made many other things for her, over the years. Going thru my pictures, I think I made more things for Mrs. Betty than for anyone else. She so appreciated the things I made. When she couldn't quilt any longer, I quilted for her.
I was luckier than most, in that Betty's daughter called me Sunday night, to let me know that the end was near. She put the phone next to Betty's ear, and we got to say goodbye to each other.
This morning, at 2 am, I lost one of the best friends you could ask for. My family and I were blessed to know this woman. I know that she is with Jesus now, and I'll see her again one day.
Goodbye Dear Friend.
Mrs. Betty sounds like a very special lady! You both were blessed to have known each other. What a true friend you were to make purses for a fan of a rival team! So sorry for your loss!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely memorial for your friend. She had a great friend, too. Thanks for sharing this great story.
ReplyDeleteHugs x 2
How wonderful that you met and shared many years together. Great friends are rare; actually they are a real blessing. Prayers for you and Mrs. Betty's family. Also sending hugs to you. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteCheryl, my sympathy on the loss of your dear friend. The story was so touching and affirms what quilting means to people beyond the fabric and thread. Thank you for being open to sharing your story with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. You were very fortunate to have such a good friend for so many years.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful log of your years of friendship. My heart goes out to you as you carry on without your friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You are a no-reply blogger, so, I can't reply privately.
DeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. You were very blessed to have her friendship. And what a wonderful thing to know that we will see our dear loved ones again.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Betty certainly kept you on your toes. What a wonderful friend. Sounds like you enriched each other’s lives. I’m sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady. I hope her kids see your great post. Thanks for reminding us to live each day to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteSo many sweet, wonderful memories you have of Mrs. Betty! Yes, to have someone like this in your life is truly a blessing. You gave her so much as a friend, Cheryl, and she shared a lot of herself with you. Comfort and peace to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your friend. You wrote such a great tribute to her. I am sure she is in heaven, what a sweet looking lady.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your friend. You were both blessed to have known the other. I'm sorry for the loss of your dear friend and fellow quilter.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you lost such a wonderful person from your life, your tribute is beautiful and I feel she's smiling at you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and I rejoice in knowing you will see her again! What a precious tribute....
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful glowing tribute of friendship over the years. So glad you had a final good bye. I have a feeling she really enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteOH Cheryl I'm so sad for you in the loss of your wonderful friend. What a sweet woman and your biggest fan! You were so blessed to love each other. Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. It is always hard to lose a friend.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful friend. You have some truly great memories of her and you will forever carry them in your heart. How wonderful that you got to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the loss you are feeling. God put you two together for a reason and your life was richer for it.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry about your sweet friend. It sounds like you have many wonderful memories to think about and share. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss. You & your family were blessed with a long relationship with a special lady, and I'm sure you were a blessing to her.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful memories you have shared of your beloved quilting friend. I am so sorry for your loss. No matter the circumstances, a loss is a loss. We, your online quilting friends, are all here for you!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the loss of your buddy. She looks like a lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like an incredible lady. When my father died, I made my Uncle a quilt in my father’s style. It was therapy for both of us. A way for me to move on, and a way for my uncle to remember his brother.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you lost your dear friend. Try to remember all the good times you had together. That's what I'm doing. My best friend passed away three years ago. For over forty years, we quilted, sewed, cooked, and crocheted together. Sharing patterns and ideas. I inherited her fabric and yarn stash so she is still sharing with me. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for you kind words. You are a no-reply blogger, and don't have an email on your profile page.
DeleteI am sorry for your loss but am rejoicing that you will be reunited with Mrs. Betty again. Your memories brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of my dear friend Jean, a best friend and second mother, who went to be with the Lord in January of 2014. Thanks for sharing your joys and your grief! Hugs and blessings!
ReplyDeleteMay Mrs. Betty always be in your heart, Cheryl. It sounds like she lived a grand adventure and I'm glad you got to share some of it!
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