John Pugsley and Jackie Cameron with the beige batik quilt
Carole Schumacher and John Pugsley holding hand-quilted pillows.
Donna Iverson and the curves table runner
Jonnie Chandler
Quilters are notorious for their unfinished quilting projects. They willingly halt work on their projects to help others who are struggling with a challenge or to volunteer their time and supplies for a charitable organization or community project. Their unfinished quilting projects are fondly referred to as UFOs, and quilters’ personal sewing spaces are often tightly packed with various unfinished items. Maureen Pugsley was no exception. She had nine bins of UFOs in various stages of completion. Sadly, Maureen passed away on July 21, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, two children, and four grandchildren.
Maureen’s husband, John, shared stories of her many community activities and her love of crafts. Maureen was multi-talented. She made her own wedding dress. She also knitted sweaters and weaved Nantucket baskets. She was a needlepoint enthusiast and an avid quilter. Maureen would enthusiastically begin a project and then get excited about a new challenge or community project. During her last months, one of her projects was to repair a quilt that she had made for her daughter when Andrea graduated from college. Andrea’s dog loved the quilt too and had chewed a hole in the center of the quilt. Even after 25 years, Maureen had leftover fabric and was able to begin to repair the quilt. Unfortunately, she was not able to complete the repairs, so Donna Winowski completed the repairs, and John returned the quilt to Andrea. Maureen also had planned and designed T-shirt quilts for her son and daughter. Joyce Wechselberger completed both quilts using Maureen’s design, and John gave them to Andrea and Scott last Christmas.
PebbleCreek quilters Jackie Cameron, Darlene Helker, Donna Iverson, Carole Schumacher, Linda Shaver, and Maureen Strachen wanted to help fulfill Maureen’s wishes and finish family gifts that Maureen had planned. Jackie completed a beige batik quilt. Darleen finished a mitten-themed table topper. Donna finished a batik curves quilt that can be used as a table runner or end of bed runner. Carole finished the hand quilting on two pillow tops and made the tops into pillows. Linda Shaver completed a diamonds quilt. Maureen completed a green square-in-a-square and snowball quilt.
John was given the quilts and pillows in an emotional presentation at the PebbleCreek Quilters’ January general meeting. He plans to give these treasures to his grandchildren and other special children whom Maureen loved.
Maureen was a giver and was active in many volunteer organizations. It is fitting that volunteers completed Maureen’s projects so that they can be given to those she loves.