Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Rae Hooks

Rae Hooks began quilting in 1992 – she first made a Baltimore appliqué quilt block and decided she wanted to quilt. She had always sewn because mom didn’t mend fast enough. She began with Kathy Honeycutt at San Lorenzo Adult School on Tuesday evening. Rae remembers taking a “beginning” class but it wasn’t called “Baby Beginners.” There were beginners and intermediate quilters.  After she retired, she moved to Kathy’s Wednesday afternoon class.

Rae estimates she has made over 50 quilts but doesn’t really know how many – it may be 75. Just within the last three weeks she has penned five quilts. She has given most away but has quilts in most every room in the house. There are no blank walls without a quilt.

She and Joan Allie have been friends for a long time and Rae helped finish the appliqué quilt Kathy had planned for her son’s wedding quilt. That is when Rae found out about Pieced Together Quilters. One more quilter was saved by having this wonderful group to join. 

Married 56 years – so many men and only one sample – Rae you’re a hoot. Jim and Rea have two sons, Lee and Mark. Her oldest grandson graduated from High School June, 1^st and the second grandson was born the next day. They are 18 years apart.  Her oldest grandson is in his third year at Annapolis and the baby is in England.  Darn, they live so far away. Mark teaches at the University of Wales, biochemistry, and Kashia, Mark’s wife, is finishing her doctorate in microbiology. Mark’s little man’s name is Christopher.  Lee, the oldest, lives in Seattle with his wife, Fran. Their son, Dennis, is the midshipman.

Other than quilting, Rae loves to square-dance but her husband began to be hard of hearing, so they had to stop dancing. She belongs to Amador Valley quilters and American Sewing Guild, Walnut Creek Chapter. Rae loves to garden. She also spends an hour a day, five days a week, at the gym. She loves the floor exercises where she socializes with her friends.

Rae was an Army brat and lived all over the US during the Second World War. Her husband got a job in the Bay Area after they married in Tacoma, Washington.  Rae was schooled in New York and Nebraska and Jim got his doctorate in Nebraska(agronomy – study of plant genetics). A little know fact about Rae is she is most proud of her grandchildren and the most satisfying thing she has done is finish Kathy’s quilt.  Thanks so much for sharing your fun story with me Rae.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Sue Green

Sue Green grew up in Arcadia California, near Pasadena. She went to UC Santa Barbara for her undergraduate studies, history and art history and English and then UCLA for a teaching credential. She met her husband, Dudley, in junior high school. They began dating in High School as Sophomores and went to the Explorer’s Ball together and married in 1968. They moved to the Bay Area – Burlingame – and now live in Fremont. Married 43 years, they have two boys.  They had their first granddaughter, Ellery in June. So Sue now has a girl! All the Green’s have boys.

Sue’s younger son is getting married on June 16^th at Champaign Illinois. He is finishing his doctorate in Regional Planning and Urban Development at the University of Illinois.

She began quilting in 1972 – finishing a Sunbonnet Sue quilt in lavender and cream for her sister!  She took some classes off and on, but didn’t really get into it until she began with Kathy Honeycutt around 1995.  Sue never took the Baby Beginner and regrets she didn’t get back to take the class with Kathy.  She was finally able to really quilt after she retired. Sue estimates she has made spent a good ten years sewing, doing needlepoint, cross-stitch, crewel work, hand embroidery and any other thing that she can do with her hands.  Other than needlecrafts, Sue loves to read, garden, cook and canoe.

Because she substituted for Kathy’s class, it was a natural transition to move to Pieced Together Quilters. Most of Tuesday evening class at San Lorenzo Adult School came to Pieced Together Quilters a semester after Kathy passed.

A little know fact about Sue is when she was at UCLA, the son of the landlord invited all of the ladies in the house to a political fundraiser at Paul Newman’s home. Mr. Newman was not at home, but she did see pictures of all the family. A funny encounter, she almost knocked Walter Mathau down as they rounded a corner. Mr. Mathau was very gracious and apologized to her.

Sue taught 6^th grade for 28 years, mostly in San Mateo and Fremont. You should hear the stories. Our sweet Sue loved teaching and she still speaks calmly, as a good teacher always does.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters-Rosa Martinez and Patricia Martinez

Rosa (Rose) and Patricia Martinez – our sisters -  are always together. They grew up in Lima Peru. Rosa and her husband came first then Patricia and her spouse moved to the US. Both women lost their husbands in 1995, six months apart. That was such a difficult year. Our sisters had a hard time adapting to living alone. They are so thankful they had each other.

Patricia wanted to be a teacher when she was a young girl. Her mother thought she was weird for teaching to empty chairs on the patio. Too cute! Rosa is elder by 11 years.  Rose is the oldest of four and Patricia is the youngest.  They have one other sister, Miriam,  – who is currently visiting from Peru.

They began quilting four year ago in Kathy Honeycutt’s class. They took baby beginner’s on Thursday and then moved to Monday. Patricia said it was a privilege to lean from Kathy – it gave them both a great start. 

Rosa doesn’t remember what she wanted to be when she grew up but was a great student. She loved to sew when she was young. She bought fabric at the supermarket and made clothes by hand.

Rosa has seven children, two of whom live in California. The other five children are in Lima Peru. All are married and currently she has 20 grandchildren, but today one more girl is joining the family. Her son’s wife is in the hospital as we speak scheduled for a C-Section.

Patricia has four children, and one grandson. Only her daughter is married. Edin is five years old and he was one year old when Alejandra and Camebmon adopted him from Guatemala. Let’s just say grandmother is thrilled!

Rosa and Patricia are property managers for the same company and live one block away from each other. Rosa goes to visit Patricia in her pajamas every Sunday and it is a special day…no work and obviously no adult clothes. They do visit every other day too but they wear clothes those days.

Patricia never wanted to sew but Rosa kept insisting she join her at quilt class. One day Rosa brought sister to Kathy’s class. She secretly paid the tuition and showed up at Patricia’s house to bring her to San Lorenzo Adult School.   Patricia was astounded by the beautiful things that were shared. From that day, she began sewing EVERY DAY~

I love seeing these girls together and envy their close sisterhood. Thank you for sharing your story with me.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters Judy Clavin

Judy Clavin has been a quilter - starting with Sandi Geaheart and Juanita Jones -28 years ago. They began taking classes at San Lorenzo Adult School with Linda Cummin and Kathy Honeycutt was one of their fellow students.  Kathy was a very good friend of Judy’s. Shortly after Kathy broke her ankle, Judy fell coming out of church and broke both her ankles. Kathy was there for Judy then and again when Judy lost her sister.

After her son started school, Judy needed SOMETHING to do so she went to San Lorenzo Adult School to find her passion. She has made at least 40 quilts (including baby quilts and lap quilts). She gave most of them away to family.

Besides quilting her loves are hand embroidery, knitting and crocheting and playing the slot machines! She makes frequent trips to Jackson Rancheria. Football (Raiders) and A’s baseball float her boat.  She also loves to read!

Sabina Hill told Pam Gerow, who told Judy about Pieced Together Quilters. It was so sad after Kathy passed away and hard to bond at San Lorenzo Adult School, so finding our club was a God-Send.

Married 39 years having found her true love when she was 30 years old! Not a lady to rush into anything. She traveled all through her 20s and finally fond time to settle down. They have a girl and a boy and only two grandchildren. Her grandson is 14 and the granddaughter is six. Judy gets to baby-sit Maya every day after school

A little know fact about Judy is – O MY GOD – We just had an earthquake. Judy – settle down. It didn’t even move the table! Her little know fact is Judy is petrified of earthquakes.  You’d think she’d be used to it earthquakes being born and raised in Oakland.

Judy has a long history of being friends with quilters from San Lorenzo Adult School – she has the historic memory of all that Kathy did. Thanks for sharing this information Judy.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Loretta Phillips

Loretta Phillips doesn’t know how long she’s been quilting, but it must be at least 20 years. She had always sewed and taught across the playground from Kathy Honeycutt and Linda Cumming so decided to join the fun!  She took baby beginner class in 1975 from Linda Cumming.  She still has her sampler quilt – not completely finished.  Her granddaughter has a messy room so doesn’t get the quilt until her bedroom is in shape to appreciate the quilt.  One summer when she had nothing to do, she made nine baby quilts for a great grand baby and her granddaughter had her pick of quilts when the wee one was born. Loretta is very organized!  After I showed her a picture of my sewing room she thinks I’d croak if I saw her sewing room – it is so neat and put away.  All her fabric is in binds and color coded.

Married 57 years to her high school sweetheart, Doug, they have two daughters, five grandchildren and one great grandson. The great grandson has lots of quilts!  Loretta grew up in Oakland and now has lived 50 years in Castro Valley.

Other that quilting, her teaching certification is in sewing, knitting and crocheting. She taught at San Lorenzo Adult School for 21 years and retired 15 years ago. So, Loretta still knits and crochets every day. It also gave her a great chance to get to know all of the San Lorenzo Adult School students. 

Cooking is not one of her hobbies, she cooks only to eat. She reads all kinds of  books. Her favorite activity is camping. She and Doug camped in Alaska for 22 summers. She knows how to catch and cook salmon. (She also knows how to freeze, smoke and can salmon too).

She has a real soft spot for animals and is wearing a gecko charm on her necklace, loon earrings and loon markings on her socks.  In Alaska the loons are in salt water and they are huge!  She has two cats, Candy and Baby. Candy is a calico and Baby is sand colored Domestic Short Haired and Candy is a wicked sister who beats up little Baby daily. Baby is now almost five year old.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Pat Bailey

Pat Bailey has been quilting for about ten years.  She first wanted to quilt for her son’s school as a fund raiser. All the kids in the class made a block and Pat quilted the project and it was raffled off.  In about 1997 a friend signed her up for an all night quilting class at Hancock Fabrics. She thought her friend was insane – ALL NIGHT! They made a bargello heart quilt.  She stayed all night and had a great time!  So great in fact that she joined  Kathy’s class on Thursday night but never took baby beginners.  Kathy never made her attend – REALLY!

Pat estimates she has made in the neighborhood of 75 quilts. She gives lots away but really never kept track of all her quilting. She makes at least six quilts a year for children’s organizations.  She is a member of African American Quilt Guild in Oakland and has a quilt in the Cinema Place Gallery in Hayward.  She has had her quilts in several galleries – one in Sacramento and one in Richmond called “40 Acres”. 

She worked at the de Young Museum during the Gee’s Bend exhibit.  She was able to meet the wonderful quilters from the show and even met a contributor to the “I Have A Dream” speech. 

Pat has two wonderful children Nicholas, who passed two years ago - a victim of senseless violence.  They donated Nicholas’ organs, saving four lives.  Such a wonderful sacrifice. Her daughter Kristen, has a full scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC, studying pre-med.  She is a freshman so this is her first time away from Mom! She loves it and is doing great. She’ll be home for the Christmas holidays making mommy very happy!

Pat grew up in Wewahitchka Florida, near the peninsula. She left at 17 right after high school to stay with her brother in Los Angeles. Her former spouse was a computer consultant so they moved to the Bay Area. She now lives in Hayward – all alone, just waiting for a grandchild!

A little know fact about Pat is was a cheerleader and jazz dancer for the school band and she was a homecoming princess. Our sweet Pat is such an outgoing girl – never meeting a stranger.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Dorothy Wadsworth

Dorothy Wadsworth has always sewed, making clothes for her family, was a dressmaker and was a tailor. During the war she worked at Hamilton Field and was assigned to tailor uniforms for the service members. She lived on base and ate in the mess hall. They found out she liked spinach so the mess cooks loaded her tray - mile high - with spinach. Also, at Hamilton she delivered mail On A Motorcycle!

Dorothy also painted and sold her paintings in Castro Valley. Additionally, she painted signs on cars and business windows. She finally began quilting with Linda Cumming in the last 1980s. Dorothy taught decorative painting for the seniors at Hayward Adult School and oil painting in Alameda. She won second place in coloring in second grade and was featured in the local paper. She even did upholstery and furniture refinishing. Our Dorothy is just a Renaissance woman!

Kathy Honeycutt was also one of her teachers and Dorothy learned a lot from her. Linda Cumming and Dorothy took quilting lessons at Daughtry's in Castro Valley together, but didn't remember that until the shared notes.

Married 61 years, Dorothy lost her husband last spring and is still having a difficult time without him. We all remember her loss. They have four boys and 11 grandchildren. Dorothy is blessed to have four great-grandchildren. It might be more...! Dorothy admits to having Senior Moments! Well at 87 years young it happens.

Born in Annapolis MD - her dad was in the Navy, where they moved to Los Angeles then to Vallejo where she went to school through high school. In the second half of the 12th grade she went to Long Beach to stay with her grandmother.

A little know fact about Dorothy is she was a Cub Scout Leader and made the boys sew on buttons and make tea towels. She also learned to swim in the ocean when she was five and when she was a Girl Scout she learned life saving.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Milinda Mayfield

Milinda Mayfield has been quilting since 2004. Her mother, Lizzie, needed to have a kidney removed, so, Milinda required a challenge to divert her attention. Thankfully, her mom is doing great and thinks every quilt Milinda makes with a butterfly belongs to her.

Not married – no children and all her animals are stuffed! She does have lots of nieces and nephews that she enjoys spoiling then sending home. Milinda loves her purple house and her purple studio where she sews for all the family and friends.

Quilting since 2007, in Kathy Honeycutt’s Thursday evening class, she moved to Pieced Together Quilters with her class-mates. Pat Bailey was the sweet quilter who brought Milinda to us.

Other than quilting, cycling for charity and skiing and gardening are her hobbies. She grows vegetables, having just harvested 12 ears of corn, tomatoes, green beans, green peppers and turnip greens.  Milinda loves to cook, but doesn’t collect cookbooks. She says she cooks better than her mom just getting recipes from the internet and friends.

She works for Cisco Systems so she doesn’t have as much time to PLAY as she would like, so most of her time is spent quilting and tending the garden.

Milinda is a California girl born and raised.  She was born in Fresno, grew up in Oakland and now lives in Hayward – in the purple house. A world traveler, Australia in the summer is heaven.  However, no matter where she goes, there is no place like home!

Our cute Milinda was the California Spelling Bee champion in Junior High School, competing in the State Capitol. She finished third in the state. What an accomplishment. I can barely spell Barbara.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Denise Bailey

Denise Bailey began quilting in 1988  with Kathy Honeycutt. It was the transition point when Linda Cumming was going to part-time teaching and Kathy was assuming full-time duties.

Her sole reason for learning to quilt was she wanted to make a baby quilt for a future grandchild – her son was at the time 11. He is now 34, about to be engaged and MUST have a girl, as the pinwheel quilt is for baby girl. Denise muses that maybe she should make one for a boy, however, she still takes out the girl quilt and fondles it – waiting for the girl she never had!

She taught radiology for High School Juniors and Seniors who wanted to be dental assistants. She retired two years ago and actually has less time to quilt than she did before retirement. 

Denise has been married to her high school sweetheart for 36 years. They went to Sunset High School in Hayward and later moved to her husband’s family home in Hayward.  Her husband was in the Marine Corps for six years in the 1970s so they moved around a bit. She loved being stationed in Hawaii, but it was also a stressful place with families reuniting after tours in Viet Nam.

Other than quilting, she loves to read, loves to cook, run the “since you are retired” errands for family and caring for her four cats. Little Huckleberry is a cuddle bug and such a sweet boy. Her son calls her a Crazy Cat Woman  (like that is a bad thing)  – he even gave her an action figure called Crazy Cat Woman! Too funny!

A little know fact about Denise is that she is actually very shy – which is a testament to this group that she feels so cherished, she can step out of the shyness and join the fun.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Dawn Luber

Wanda Daly and Kathy Robrahn told Dawn about Kathy Honeycutt’s quilting class at San Lorenzo Adult School and Dawn told Jenn Schofield.  They all worked at the San Leandro Surgery Center where Dawn is a surgical technician. She started baby beginners in 2006 and finished her sampler quilt the next term. I’d love to see it! She was fascinated by the Reader’s Digest book on sewing arts and has always loved the idea of quilting but thought it was too complicated. So, when she heard about Kathy’s class, she jumped on it.

Married to Bruce Luber for 11 years who is the love of her life. When Kathy Honeycutt requested a spouse to play a colon polyp for the Relay For Life, Bruce showed up in a red costume which looked like an over-stuffed Hershey’s Kiss. He had five stars on his sleeve and announced he was “General” colon polyp. What a funny guy. You may recall her adorable daughter, Sarah, who joined us a few times. Sarah is eight years old and is a budding quilter.

She grew up in Mountain View and then moved to Newark which is still her family home. After her mother has passed away, Dawn took over cooking for her father and brother. Dawn lives in Oakland and commutes daily to Newark to deliver the “Meals On Wheels” for the men-folk.

She attended California Culinary Academy and was a pastry chef for the Marriott Corporation. You should taste her chocolate cake!!! It is triple chocolate cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting!!!!!!!!!!!! She brought it to a pot-luck once and I died of chocolate overdose.

Dawn once belonged to Stage One Community Theater in Newark and was in Play It Again Sam and had monologues in other plays. Her two-year stint served her well as the fun-loving girl, we know, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She was part of the Intercollegiate Public Speaking Team for Chabot College and won a gold medal in persuasive speaking for Dangers of Deregulation of the Trucking Industry. Way to go Dawn!

Who's Who In Pieced Together Quilters - Ginger Yost

Ginger Yost began quilting in the early 1970’s – took a long break – then came back last year. She joined Pieced Together Quilters after Janet Hill mentioned it. They are in Tai-Chi together and somehow the topic of quilting came up and Ginger …”jumped on it!” 

Although she was never in Kathy Honeycutt’s class, she was a member of East Bay Heritage Quilters (EBHQ) and took classes there early on. She has made a few quilts, but her favorite is the Disappearing Nine Patch.   It is for her new great-grandson, it went fast and it’s beautiful.

She loves to cook, read mysteries and garden. She brought tomatoes from her garden today. Aren’t we lucky!!! 

Ginger has three grown children, two boys and a girl, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Only one grandchild is a girl, so she is a special recipient of quilts and clothing. She, fortunately, lives in Sacramento so Grandma gets to spend lots of time with them.

Born and raised in Oakland, Ginger was married to a Navy-man and she moved around for years.  Finally she came back home and loves her Bay Area roots.

A little known fact is that Ginger was a house-painter and wall paper contractor.  Her daughter was one of the women who helped paint. Our tiny little great grandmother owned a women’s painting company. What a woman!  I am so impressed that we have a trail blazer in our club.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Sandi Gearhart

Sandi grew up on the peninsula and now lives in Castro Valley.  She is second generation Californian with her grandparents immigrating from Italy and Germany. 

She began quilting for fun and started in Kathy’s class with Judy Clavin and Juanita Jones in the early 1980s maybe 1984 or 85.  Judy and Sandi were co-workers and Juanita was a friend with school activities.  Now they all sit together and knit and crochet and Sandi is now learning how to do hand embroidery.  She is currently working on a knitted blanket with no one special in mind. It is Nancy Zieman who says “Enjoy the process,” and Sandi certainly is.

Having been a quilter for so many years, Sandi had made close to 15 quilts. She has a beautiful quilt on her bed, it isn’t one SHE made. She gave all of her quilts away.  Sandi is now committed to making Yellow Brick Road for her bed! She even has the pattern. Good luck – it was harder than it looked!

Sandi is a hiker – she loves the outdoors. She walks frequently with friends and family but hasn’t invested in the walking poll just yet. She loves to walk Lake Chabot, Dell Valle and Pleasanton Regional Park and Prism Trail and all the lovely Bay Area locales. She loves animals and traveling and when she was a kid enjoyed roller skating.  She enjoys football and baseball – loves the local teams and loves attending family sporting events.

A little know fact about Sandi is she is directionally challenged. I can relate – I can get lost in a phone booth.  However, she hasn’t yet sprung for the latest GPS to help her navigate the back woods of Hayward! We share so many challenges…getting lost on 880 on the way to the quilt show, turning around in the parking lot to get the right angle for the journey. We could be sisters.

I’m so glad I got to spend a little special time with Sandi. Just look at that sweet smile. Thank you Sandi.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Linda Cain

Linda started in Kathy’s class in 1988 – first as a baby beginner in Thursday evening then switching to Tuesday evening.  Her best friend and she had been involved in lots of crafts, and they joined the quilt class together. Dolores Bjornson and Linda arraigned flowers, embroidered and sewed together until Dolores moved to Pioneer California.  Every now and then they get together and Dolores sends Linda back with quilts to take to the quilter.  (Faye Collinsworth in San Ramon).

As an original Californian, Linda was born and raised in the East Bay and moved from Hayward all the way Castro Valley!!!!! She began work right out of High School and has been with the same job 46 years. Linda looks much younger than her biological years (we won’t even say how much) but she looks great at any age. She has two sons and two grandsons. Linda is the ONLY girl in her family!  The little boys are 2 ½ and 3 ½ - with each son having one son.

Kristy Hanson told us all about Pieced Together Quilters and thank goodness we still have our Tuesday night group! Plus more ladies than we even knew. We rarely socialize outside of our quilt night so having another opportunity to come together in friendship was our salvation.

Linda still has a passion for reading, mostly mysteries and she loves gardening.  But her greatest love is quilting and getting together with Pieced Together Quilters.

A little know fact is Linda was born a twin and sadly lost her brother two years ago. It was a huge shock to her mom, who was only 5 feet 2 inches and only discovered she was having twins when they came into the world. 

Who’s Who in Pieced Together Janet Hill

Janet Hill was born and raised in Hawaii – in a little town called Hana, Maui.  She left the island to go to graduate school at the University of Illinois – studying social work.  She traveled with a friend who was going to school in California and got a job and stayed in the Bay Area.  She was a Social Services Foster Care and Adoption Social Worker for the County of Alameda.  Janet also was an investigator for the juvenile court – investigating child abuse and neglect.

Janet traveled in Portugal to visit her family’s roots (she is involved in genealogy). She visited the church where her grandfather was baptized and  married.

Married to the most wonderful man in the world, they have three children, two girls and a boy and three grandchildren. They also have one great-grandson, Logan. He just turned one on June 21^st . 

 Janet’s mom was a quilter – mainly the traditional Hawaiian quilting. She and her sister helped with the quilting. Living in a small village, she grew up with sewing and quilting and crocheting.  After Janet’s father passed away, her mother realized she hadn’t taught her daughter to quilt from beginning to end so only then took the time to show them the whole process.

When she retired in 1989 she joined Kathy’s class. Janet dropped out two or three years because her Yoga class conflicted, but went back to San Lorenzo Adult School shortly before Kathy became ill.  She was in Wednesday afternoon class and Betty Collier brought her to Pieced Together Quilters.

Gardening and reading are Janet’s other hobbies. She loves the murder mysteries. 

A little known fact about Janet is she had a “Sister” doll dressed in a habit and wanted, for a short time to be a Catholic sister.

Who’s Who in Pieced Barbara Heep

I’ve been asked more than once who would interview ME!  I guess we can answer that! HA!  I’m German-Irish and grew up in El Paso, Texas.  I joined the Navy in 1968 and retired after 20 years in 1988.   At the end of my enlistment, my dear friend Janet Dawson, insisted I move up to the Bay Area from San Diego as this is where I had a larger support system. (My aunt and uncle lived here as well).  So, that’s how I ended up in San Leandro.

The first appliance I ever purchased was a sewing machine. I had that Kenmore for 20 years when I upgraded to a newer Kenmore – which is still my primary sewing machine. It is old, and has few features, but I love that little workhorse. I know it so well. I don’t even have to stop and think about how to make it go faster – like I do with my fancy embroidery Kenmore.  Do you recognize a theme here?  Kenmore is a trusted product. 

Hand crafts, hand embroidery, needlepoint and cross stitch were my favorite creative outlets but I always enjoyed sewing. However, I only began quilting in 2000. My Star Trek buddy (yep, I’m a huge Trekkie) Fran Ford, the president of our Star Trek club, had been attending Kathy’s class for some time. She invited me to join her and I started in the middle of the term in Baby Beginners.  So I took Baby Beginners again the next semester AND the next semester. Finally, Kathy kicked me out of Baby Beginners and I eventually finished a quilt two years later.  Did anybody else have trouble with the math? I mean ¼ inch – isn’t that a fraction!!!

It took a few years before I felt accepted in the class so when I finally made friends I was super bonded to the ladies. I think that is why, when Kathy passed away, I not only lost my dear teacher, but I was afraid I had lost my whole network of quilt friends. Fortunately, our dear Joy picked up the mantle and brought us together to continue Kathy’s legacy.  I joined Pieced Together Quilters shortly after I met Joy when she came to the Plaque Dedication naming the sewing classroom in honor of Kathy.

I am so grateful to Joy and to you my quilting sisters. I would be so sad without you.

Who’s Who in Pieced - Sandy Gard

My sweet sister quilter, Sandy Gard, is a native Californian, born in Oakland and lives now in San Leandro! Wow what a world traveler.

In 1980, Sandy began quilting with Linda Cumming. Kathy Honeycutt was one of the STUDENTS!  Can you imagine! Having Kathy as a classmate! She began quilting because she finally has some free time. She went to class, scheduling around her kids school time. She did interrupt her quilt time when she worked full-time but soon came back to us in 2000.

After retiring, she stayed in the Tuesday evening class at San Lorenzo Adult School and joined Pieced Together Quilters when Joan Penrose mentioned the group. Sandy and Joan had been in Donna Sorenson sewing class so they are old friends too! 

Married a very long time to the best guy in the world, Rich and Sandy enjoy life together. They have four children, seven granddaughters and on very spoiled grandson! Kyle is her most handsome and favorite grandson.

Her other hobbies are knitting, – cleaning her sewing room - color me shocked -, yoga and hiking. She uses hiking poles – we’re talking hard core! OK, hubby is hard core, Sandy is a moderate hiker. She loves all the other things we all enjoy, reading, cooking and gardening. She tries to force herself to stay in bed until 6:30AM, but that doesn’t always work. (Sounds like Martha Stewart).

A little know fact about Sandy is she rescued her nieces’ retainer out of a public restroom – Sandy says her sister still owes her big time.  She reached right in, grabbed that device and gave it back to the poor kid who had just barfed it up!

Sandy told me about the on-line shop hop – where I won the $10 prize THREE times. Sandy has won $100 prize on the on-line hop AND a free sewing machine on a local shop hop. Next time I’ll sit beside her when I Bunny-Hop through the on-line shops.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Heidi Spedowfski

Heidi, my sweet Heidi, finally came back after convalescing from another surgery! This time on her left shoulder.  She was gone for three months and we really missed her. It’s great to see her smiling face again.

Heidi has been quilting since the early 80s beginning with Linda Cumming. After one year she joined Kathy’s class. She began quilting as a way to calm down from her high-pressure job working in the Emergency Department and CCU at Alameda Hospital. Her last 15 years, of her 30 year career, she was the evening supervisor. She had her 40^th reunion from Samuel Merritt Nursing School. God bless the nurses.

Her dear husband, Gary, was a laboratory technologist at Summit Hospital. They met when Heidi was in nursing school. They have two children – boy and girl – and two little girls for the happy grandparents. These babies are the light of her life.

When the Tuesday night class at San Lorenzo Adult School ended, she joined us at Pieced Together Quilters.  Now we have her all to ourselves. 

Heidi loves all hand work, knitting, crocheting and embroidery, but socializing with her quilting sisters is her greatest joy. She loves to go on quilting tours especially New England. One was an Amish Tour and the other  a Fall Foliage Tour.  There is a group of six girls who set off to New England to set the world on fire.

A little know fact is Heidi was born in Waltham Massachusetts  as her father was in the Air Force. They traveled all over.  It madeHeidi more gregarious as many people would be shy, she made friends quickly.  Being in the military brought people closer together  - we were all one family she said.  Ethnicity was never even considered. She was shocked when she first experienced racisms.  Heidi is one of my special friends and I’m thrilled to have her back in group and on the mend.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Lorraine Ryan

When Pieced Together Quilters first started in Joy’s living room, Lorraine was the principal source of information.  She began quilting with Cleo Moore at the Hayward Adult school in 1994 – they year she retired and went to Kathy’s class in 1995. She loved the Thursday afternoon class and stuck with those ladies. That’s where Joy and Lorraine first met. 

Lorraine had previously been a dressmaker and tailor and wanted to further her sewing portfolio and began quilting.  She was hooked – as they say.  She estimates she’s made 100 quilts in 15 years. She makes many quilts for charity as a member of Peacemakers Quilt Guild.

She was born and grew up in San Francisco. She third generation California born. Her grandmother was born at Coloma CA (where gold was discovered).  Her family name is Rohmer – German so those ancestors came from St Louis Mo to mine gold and make it rich! They came west in a covered wagon. Her great-grandmother is buried in Coloma. They’ve had family reunions there and visited the grave stones.

Married 57 years – to her high school sweetheart! They have two sons and one daughter and two granddaughters. She is still hoping for great grand children. She missed not having a grandson, so she started making boy quilts for charity – fulfilling the need to make boy quilts.

Other than sewing and quilting she enjoys activities with quilting friends such traveling with quilters, making charity quilts and going on quilt runs. She says quilting has taken over her life.

A little know fact about Lorraine is she was a Certified Used Cars Sales Representative. She still has her card!  She needed the card to sign papers and certify bill’s of sale.  A DMV officer inspected the lot and told Lorraine she needed to be certified so she went right down and took the test – passed it. She worked for Duffy Gerace and his daughter-in-law was one of Kathy’s students. 

I had to postpone this interview because true to Lorraine’s calling – she was helping other quilters with questions.

Who’s Who in Pieced Together - Carol Christensen

Carol started quilting in 1994 with Kathy in baby beginners. She finished her sampler  and gave it to a new baby in the family who is now 17  years old.  Lenna was the baby and was the reason Carol wanted to learn to quilt. Now, all these years later she has shared many quilts with family. Some stay with Carol as well.  Her favorite quilt is Sunbonnet Sue on Safari.  I love Sunbonnet Sue – although Kathy hated her because she was a bit too cutsie. So, in honor of Kathy, Carol’s last quilt block was a crocodile by the riverbank with Sue’s bonnet floating down the river!!!!

Carol learned of our group from Joan Allie – who was in the Wednesday afternoon class with Carol.  She joined this group last summer, the same time I did. 

Our sweet Carol has never married and sometimes misses not having grandchildren, but has lots of family she can sew for. 

Traveling is Carol’s other great joy – visiting every continent in the world except Antarctica.  Her favorite trip was to Africa – a safari and getting to see the gorillas in Ruanda.  She now mostly goes on cruises but travels with friends, one of whom is a travel agent.  Her last big trip was to the Amazon – “Which was a big river!” They fished for piranha! Imagine! They were supposed to cook the fish for the travelers, but Carol missed out on the “Feast”!

Carol is a Bay Area native growing up in Oakland. She now lives in Fremont – all alone without pets because she travels so much. Plus it is a lot less trouble!

A little known fact about Carol – she lived in Germany for three years. She taught in an Army school in Swabisch Gmund.  Retired from teaching now, Carol taught grades one through five. She taught in Petaluma, then San Jose and finally Hayward.

It is a great joy to have Carol in our little quilt group.