Threads of Love Donor Memorial Quilt

Beloved son, loving brother, dedicated cousin and friend to many.

His quilt patch includes a guitar pick, one he used. Since the age of six Brian took guitar lessons. For twenty-one years he enjoyed music. A bicycle brings back fond memories to the long rides he took to the Blue Mountains.

He enjoyed nature. A pocket from one of his tee shirts symbolized his love of fishing at the North Carolina and Florida beaches.

This patch is from his family. We love him and hold his memories close to our hearts. We hope his desire to be an organ donor has enabled another family to see their loved one everyday, to hug them, and continue to make memories to cherish forever.

Parents of Brian Paul

Matthew was a 10th grade student at Hazelton Area High School. His interests included computers, fishing, stereo equipment, and music. As a young boy Matt liked to work on bikes and fix all kinds of things.

He wanted to have his own business when he grew up. Maybe it would be a bicycle repair shop, or maybe a sporting goods store, or maybe a locksmith shop. Most recently if you knew Matt he wanted to have his own computer repair store. He loved taking apart computers and electronic devices. Our whole basement was loaded with computer parts or electronic components. He would stay up all night just to be able to fix a problem or learn more software. He liked to help others who did not know a lot about computers. When people wanted to buy a new computer they would ask for his help to select the right one for them.

Matt also loved to fish in New York for steelhead and brown trout. He tied fishing flies and quickly learned to be great fisherman. He had the touch to catch these big fish easily. He liked to ice fish and he did not mind the cold. Every November he would make his own special sinkers and tie egg sacs that the big trout liked. The old fisherman would talk to him and ask him how he caught so many fish, he loved the attention and he would gladly show them.

Matt touched so many people in his life. He loved to share things with others, and he lives on through sharing his organs. Matthew was an organ donor and has helped to save many others. Two small children were saved with his liver alone. His heart saved a young father and his kidneys saved two others. So Matthew lives on mot only 8in us the closest to him, but in others across the country. Matt is with us every day. We all love him.

Mikey's patch is green for a few reasons. It was his favorite color and he was buried on St. Patrick's Day. The starts represent the heavens, of which Mikey is surely watching us from. The ERT pin stands for Education, Research and Trust of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Mikey had asthma. He joined the asthma research program at the University of Pennsylvania trying to help himself and others. Mikey died trying at the age of twenty-five. We, his family and friends, continue to fight his fight against asthma with an annual benefit in his name to A A A A & I.

Mikey was full of life, had many friends and a great desire to help others. He wanted to be an organ donor, as though, even in death he could reach out and help others.

Sometimes we fear we wouldn't remember the sound of Mikey's laughter or the look on his face while he told us of his weekend. But we discovered he never can be taken from us, even if we have trouble remembering the sound of his laughter or the look on his face. He's here in our hearts and always will be.

The family and friends of Michael A. Donnelly, Jr.

Jeremy (Jay) was just 18 years of age when he left us. During his short lifetime he lived as if there were no tomorrow. He lived within the present with little concern regarding the past or what the future may bring. His independence was a strong part of his personality. Making a decision and carrying it out, regardless of what others said or thought was not a problem.

Jay loved the outdoors, enjoyed fishing, and watching animals. He was particularly fond of small children and his gentle interaction with tem always impressed us. Friends and family were always a joyous part of his life. A very loving person, Jay was always ready to give a hug when needed.

Those of us who knew him benefited from his love and friendship. We are all a little better today because we had the pleasure of sharing our love and life with him. Jay will live within us forever, and we look forward to the day we will be together again.

This red patch was from my husbands red coat that he loved to wear in the winter.

On this patch it reads "a wonderful husband, a great dad, the best grandpop, who loved to go fishing with his family."

My husband told my daughter and I when he dies he wanted to be a donor so someone else will have a chance at life to see the ocean, to do the things they always wanted to do in life.

My husband enjoyed taking our children and myself to the shore in New Jersey to do fishing or sometimes crabbing.

When our children grew up it was just my husband and I who went fishing, sometimes he would take his grandchildren.

We miss him very much.

Donor families share their loved ones with the panels of this quilt.

The families express the life of their loved one using special connections, whether through the cloth used, the color chosen, the photo shared, or some other significant item attached.

Sharing that connection can be difficult. Often, a great deal of time may be needed to complete that sharing. Therefore, there is no story to date for this quilt square.

This patch is in memory of Chris Wilson. The basketball is to symbolize the many times he spent shooting hoops with his brother Jesse. The angel pin is from his sister Crystal, because she feels Chris is now watching over her. Also the red stone is his birthstone. The butterflies are from his nephew, Jeffery and niece, Amanda. They represent his carefree spirit and the love he had for them. And last but not least, the blue ribbon pin is from me, his mother Pat, to show the world that he was a very special son. He was a very giving person and I’m proud to be able to say to others that the last thing he did before he left us was to give to others.

8-25-77 – 7-16-96

My son, my only child

You are my life always

My dear friend

I miss you

I now know love

Never dies

Love always

Your friend

Mom

I look at the patch on the quilt and I think of a good memory of Curtis. Curtis loved dragons by the age of thirteen. He and his friends would play Dungeons and Dragons for hours at a time. Curtis then started to buy Dragons of the Month and would spend hours painting his dragons….particularly this one. I remember when he painted it. It was about nine months before his death. He had just finished painting it and called me into his room. He said “Look, Ma! It’s a Scampy dragon!” We owned a toy poodle that had big black eyes –just like Curtis’ dragon. I will never forget him saying that and seeing the smile on his face.

November 7, 1983 – May 22, 1997

Christopher, the fulfillment of my life, was a loving, kind, bright, considerate child. He was an avid fisherman, loved to play soccer, basketball and baseball, he collected antique marbles, and read Shakespeare passionately.

An environmentalist who was always concerned about recycling, and concerned for the welfare of others, he loved life to the fullest, making the choice to donate his organs without question. The loss of his life gave life and hope to three people and their families.

This quilt square is made from one of his handkerchiefs; Christopher took the photo while holding his camera at arms length during his class trip a week prior to his untimely death. The colors of thread on the border represent his in many ways. White, an angels wings; red, the love he shared; purple, his favorite color; yellow, his favorite flowers daffodils; green, organ donor.

This cloth, a fiber of his life is a tribute to Christopher, and all he gives me, his legacy, a precious journey. Christopher lives in my heart always. I will love you forever.

Always with love

Your Mom, Pam Colvell

12-20-64 – 12-27-98

Mary Beth’s family was the most important thing in her life. She had three sisters and a brother, as well as nice nieces and nephews, and so I have surrounded her with the people she loved best. The purple background represents her favorite color.

The moon represents her “night person” personality. She was always the last one to bed. Her favorite companion on those nights was our dog “Chip”. We’ve had many pets over the years but she loved him best of all. He was kind of a “night person” too, and he shared her bed every night.

Music was a constant in her life. There was hardly a quiet moment when Bee was home – music accompanied her everywhere.

She loved warm places – the Caribbean, summer vacations at Long Beach Island, Southern California – anywhere where the winter temperatures were no more than 60 degrees. The earring represents her idea of a fun time (we planned a cruise for 1999).

Christmas defined Bee. She loved it all – the family traditions, the music, the food, the looks on the children’s faces when they opened her gifts. We all said of her “Bee knows what the kids like.” She said of herself, “I’m just a kid at heart.” Some of the first things she bought were for the TOYS FOR TOTS campaign. She believed all children deserve a little happiness.

These are tangible reminders of her life. The intangibles – her generosity, her compassion, her loyalty and sense of fairness – are etched in our hearts.

This patch is from a favorite T-shirt, a gift from his best friend. He had another one with “Tom Terrific” on the front but we couldn’t locate it. That one really describes Tom. He was a terrific friend, a terrific worker and would go out of his way to do things for others – not just for friends but wherever he was needed. That is why we felt very secure in the decision to donate to the Gift of Life Donor Program. This way some part of him can go on helping others.

Pride, Dignity, Loyalty, Dedication

Every day my father got up in the morning, not only did he put on a suit, shirt and time, he wore each of these emotions on his chest. No matter what the day would uphold, he would always hold his head high and attacked life with an enormous effort. Robert Richards was a man who was proud of who he was and would never disappoint anyone. I can remember growing up as a child and him telling me I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. I never truly understood this till I entered adulthood. His determination and dedication carries me to what I have become today.

Not only did these emotions play a large role with his career, they were even more dominant and greater with his family. My father was a very quiet man but his pride for his wife and daughter would scream off his chest. A smile on his face and his highly held head would say a thousand words. His family was the corner stone of his life. He was dedicated to helping his family grow independently and especially with each other.

Tragedy entered into our lives on July 7th, 1997 when he passed away from a massive heart attack. We never thought we would have recovered but our family has never been closer. He is still living within all of us and is with us at every occasion.

The donation of this quilting square, crafted by his family, was made from his shirts and ties that helped him carry the pride, dignity, loyalty and dedication that he wore so well.

Judith Richards – Wife, Mother

Jennifer Richards – Daughter

Tammie Corsnitz – Sister-in-law

Margaret Lebo – Mother-in-law

When you look at Laura’s quilt patch you probably see a smiling girl with a gleam in her eye. What we see is the face of hope. When Laura was born she was our hope for the future. She was the first child, and the first grandchild on both sides of the family. As she grew from a beautiful baby to a giggling yet confident teenager she embraced life with eagerness, curiosity and passion. Laura was a very “giving” person. She gave her time, her talents, and unconditional love.

Our daughter had a stronger belief in her Lutheran faith, and she was a Girl Scout, a member of the National Honor Society, the Junior Classical League and the High School Band. Her favorite color was purple and she loved music, eagles, and life.

When Laura was born she taught us about life, as she grew she taught us about living, and ultimately she taught us about death and grieving.

It is now our hope that with the donation of Laura’s corneas, bone and skin tissues, her spirit of giving lives on in others. She would be glad to know that she had helped someone. We know this for a fact because to have the organ designation on her license when she turned seventeen.

You see a smiling girl with a gleam in her eye. We see the face of hope.

Karen and Roland Pattinson

Lisa was born on June 18, 1954, to parents who loved and cared for her throughout her life. She was born the first of five girls. All the girls looked up to Lisa for her advice and good decisions.

Lisa grew into an exciting and beautiful teenage who had a great interest in horses. She graduated from Spring Grove High School of Spring Grove, PA in 1972. She worked several jobs, before enlisting in the US Air Force for four years. While serving in Italy she met a man who she married. After her four years with the Air Force she and her husband resided in Florida. She was then diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Lisa then moved home with her parents in Abbottstown, PA. She struggled for years to get her illness under control. She became pregnant and gave birth to her daughter, Tiffany, on January 8, 1987. She managed to save enough money to purchase her own home. She worked very hard to make the home perfect for her and her daughter. The home was a big accomplishment in her life. She became engaged to a man whom she was to marry in the fall of 1998. Lisa never got that chance to marry the man of her dreams. She passed away on July 15, 1998.

In closing, Lisa was a caring, thoughtful person. She donated her organs to those people who needed the GIFT OF LIFE. She is and always will be a very special daughter, sister, and mother who will live in our hearts forever.

From Lisa’s beloved family,

Miriam & Harold Huff

Lynne Wallet

Lona Mellott

Lori Ashman

Laurel Huff

Tiffany Huff

Donor families share their loved ones with the panels of this quilt.

The families express the life of their loved one using special connections, whether through the cloth used, the color chosen, the photo shared, or some other significant item attached.

Sharing that connection can be difficult. Often, a great deal of time may be needed to complete that sharing. Therefore, there is no story to date for this quilt square.

Donor families share their loved ones with the panels of this quilt.

The families express the life of their loved one using special connections, whether through the cloth used, the color chosen, the photo shared, or some other significant item attached.

Sharing that connection can be difficult. Often, a great deal of time may be needed to complete that sharing. Therefore, there is no story to date for this quilt square.

Betsy McBride was a nurse, loving wife, and mother of four beautiful daughters. They are Lauren, age 17; Patricia, age 14; Amanda, age 10; and Jaclyn, age 8. She enjoyed watching all the girls play baseball and softball. She would often question the calls of the umpires at every game. She was an avid Philadelphia Eagles season ticket holder with her husband John and enjoyed tailgating in the parking lot prior to all home games. Betsy enjoyed candles and other had them burning in the bedroom for relaxation at the end of a long day. We had just moved into our dream house and the greatest enjoyment for Betsy was the deck off the back of the house. She was a big Billy Joel fan, owning all of his CD's and did see him twice in concert. She enjoyed our annual vacations to Ocean City, New Jersey, but never liked making sandwiches for the beach!

The piece we used for the quilt was from one of her nursing scrubs. She was a very compassionate person even when not at work. She was the neighborhood "Doctor" and often came running if one of our elderly neighbors were not feeling well. She was loved by all and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her. The greatest gift she did give was her liver to a 17 year old young man who now has a new lease on life. We are all grateful that part of her lives on.

John, Lauren, Trisha, Amanda & Jackie

Donor families share their loved ones with the panels of this quilt.

The families express the life of their loved one using special connections, whether through the cloth used, the color chosen, the photo shared, or some other significant item attached.

Sharing that connection can be difficult. Often, a great deal of time may be needed to complete that sharing. Therefore, there is no story to date for this quilt square.

1982-1997

In Loving Memory of Danielle M. Jones

Our daughter Danielle died September 2, 1997 from a car accident. She was only fifteen years old. So we decided to donate her heart, liver and two kidneys. The butterfly on this quilt is a symbol of rebirth. To me that's when Danielle's organs have given to others. The poem If Roses Bloom in Heaven is something I asked God to give my daughter.

9-6-1968 – 11-6-1998

Ellen a beautiful baby girl was born September 6, 1968 to parents Helen and George, youngest of four siblings George, Judie, and Tom.

She was a Jr. volunteer at Immaculate Mary Nursing Home, a member of the police explorers, and a pro-life activist. She graduated in 1986 from St. Hubert as a member of the National Honor Society, and received her MS from St. Joseph University in 1996. Ellen was a teacher at Holy Redeemer School in Philadelphia, PA, and later a behavioral specialist at another Philadelphia school, helping many children.

We all love and miss you Ellen. You gave of yourself, helping so many others, in death you gave your eyes to allow other to see.

This quilt patch made from your baby blanket of green your favorite color, represents your life and the gift you gave, hoping to make awareness of organ donation.

Your sister, Judie

3-4-98 – 3-7-98

Budded on Earth, Bloomed in Heaven

Before you were conceived

I wanted you.

Before you were born

I loved you.

Before you were here for an hour

I would die for you.

This is the miracle of love.

Love, Daddy, Mommy, Meghan, and Tristan (our "different" child)

July 8, 1949 – January 14, 1998

I wanted to create a patch in memory of my son, Jack Sickel, even though I am not that talented but if it comes from the heart, I think that is what counts.

I have chosen sports because he truly loved playing and coaching. As a youth, he was a member of the Summerdale Boys Club in Philadelphia and participated in every sport that they offered, in high school he was a member of the varsity soccer team and played football for the U.S. Coast Guard.

As an adult, he still played softball but mostly, he coached his son, Tom, and the youth of the Bustleton Bengels Boys Club in Philadelphia in various sports.

I hope his love of sports and his love of youth lives on through his son and all the boys he has coached.

Gloria Sickel

This memorial patch is to my mother, Betty Baymiller, sadly missed by her daughter, Cindy Baymiller, and her granddaughter Haley.

The patch represents my mother and her life, the top left photo she is wearing her favorite color, red and a big smile. The bottom left photo was taken at her place of employment, Troy Laundry and Dry Cleaning working there for twenty-seven years, there wasn't anything she couldn't do there. The bottom right photo is her pride and joy, her granddaughter Haley with her favorite flowers, red roses.

Cindy Baymiller

Donor families share their loved ones with the panels of this quilt.

The families express the life of their loved one using special connections, whether through the cloth used, the color chosen, the photo shared, or some other significant item attached.

Sharing that connection can be difficult. Often, a great deal of time may be needed to complete that sharing. Therefore, there is no story to date for this quilt square.