GORE BAY—Thanks to the efforts of the Happy Quilters group, a beautiful new butterfly quilt will be used to honour the memory and show respect for a resident of the Manitoulin Lodge after they have passed away.
On Wednesday of last week, several residents of the Lodge put the final stitches into the butterfly quilt.
“When residents of the Lodge pass away, this quilt will be draped over their stretcher when they are transferred from the Lodge,” said Charlene Chambers, a member of the Happy Quilters. She said Lodge volunteer, Phyllis Cacciotti, had originally approached the group about making the quilt for the lodge. “Elva Lloyd helped create the top of the quilt and I came up with the design idea for it. And the other members of the Happy Quilters came to my home in Kagawong, and we held a quilting bee. We worked together as a team.”
Ms. Chambers explained the Happy Quilters, “do charity quilts and quilts to support fire victims. We get together twice a month to put designs and blocks together and we keep finished quilts on reserve so within 24-48 hours we can get these quilts to them.”
The Happy Quilters included Rolanda Tovey, Elva Lloyd, Pat Varey, Nancy Lynes, Judy Black, Donna Beam, Elsie Christian and Charlene Chambers.
“It took three days for the quilt tops to be put together, and four days to actually quilt,” said Ms. Chambers.
Gloria Hall, life enrichment activities coordinator at Manitoulin Lodge, told The Expositor, “The butterfly quilt will be used when a resident passes away, this quilt acts as an honour quilt that is placed over their stretcher. The name of the resident who has passed on is also posted on a butterfly that is posted on a beautiful painting of remembrance wall in the lodge for a year after they have passed.” She pointed out Laura Lewis and Heather Weatherbee painted the beautiful butterfly image.
Ms. Cacciotti pointed out the Happy Quilters hand stitch their quilts. “I knew the lodge was looking for a new butterfly quilt, so I talked to Charlene and their group was in favour of creating this quilt. It is beautiful.”
“We were thrilled to participate and be able to do something like this for the lodge,” said Ms. Chambers.
