A tribute to Marie............

 I mentioned recently that my friend Marie, a well loved member of our group had passed away. I have been sorting all the photos taken over the last 25 years for our group history book and in the process found a lot of Marie. She always looked up and smiled when the camera was aimed her way and it has been very special to go back and reminisce about all the good times we shared.

We journeyed to many workshops, quilt shows, SA Quilters Guild events and local shows together, and attending these again will never be the same. It was common for Marie to call in and visit me on her way home from Wednesday golf games, and always with a smile whether she had a good score or not. She was also a valued member of the Bible Study group and her faith gave her a special strength and peace in her final months. I recently read a quote which said "I am not dying, I am going to life", and Marie knew this for herself.

 Marie was also known for her skills with dyeing fabric, and had a little home based business she called "Holly Hand Dyes" and attended many market days selling her wares.  

Marie taught many dyeing workshops at weekend retreats at The Sanctuary........

          She was a regular at the retreats held at The Sanctuary and Number Eight ...............

                          This was taken at my 60th birthday party.....................

A group of us travelled to Melbourne by train a few years ago to attend the Victorian quilt show.............

This was a special moment for Marie, winning a first for her quilt, Rainbow Canyon, an Antelope Canyon designed quilt made using her own hand dyed fabrics............

..............and another special day when the 3 of us came away from SA Quilters Guild Festival of Quilts  with a swag of ribbons a few years ago....................

                               A morning tea held at my place for a friend's birthday..................

A group of us at Quilt Encounter which was held at Immanuel College...........

.......and Marie presenting a quilt to me on behalf of the group when I was about to have some treatment in Adelaide.

And this one goes back to 2006 after the 4 of us had done a workshop in Adelaide and about to head off to the quilt show, and just before I found out that I had won Best of Show.

The friendship quilt that was made by group members and given to her, served its purpose by providing comfort and support in her final days.

Marie, I thank you for the great memories. We will miss you and especially that lovely smile. 

Marie's funeral was held last week and this poem was on the card handed out to those attending. I just love the sentiment of these words and how appropriate they are for a quilter.

Blessings, From Jude