In Memoriam

My mother passed away last night in California, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's, at age 86. She had been living in a very caring residential care facility for the past few years, following a stroke, and after suffering a second stroke a couple of weeks ago, she finally has found release from her suffering and is at peace.

She lived a long and interesting life. Born in the Texas Panhandle in February of 1921, the youngest of 10 children, she and her older sister hitchhiked to California during the Great Depression to live with relatives there, as it was too difficult for her own mother to take care of all 10 children and give them the help they needed to make a good start in life. They arrived safely in California, where she lived for the rest of her life.

She was not a quilter, but did beautiful knitting and crochet. She loved to garden, and enjoyed a succession of lovely cats. I like to think of her with a cat or two on her lap, enjoying the warmth and fluffiness of their coats, and the comfort they brought to her.

Here's a picture taken early in her illness, with a little "knee quilt" I made for her to keep them warm after her knee replacement surgery.



















Rest well, Mom. Tracy, Sheri and I will miss you sorely.