Monday, July 1, 2013

A LITTLE HELP FOR A FRIEND - LIBBY LEHMAN FUND

On April 30, 2013, well known quilt personality, Libby Lehman had a ruptured aneurysm in her doctor's office was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Her husband had taken her to the doctor's office because she had suffered severe headaches for a few days, starting in Paducah, Kentucky at a quilting conference.   The following day she had a 7 hour surgery to clip the aneurysm.  Several days later she suffered a stroke and vascular spasms and required additional surgery.  

Libby's Block - she always kidded me about my favorite design image....cows, so I thought this might be an appropriate choice for my donation block.

Teachers on the quilt circuit are a tight knit group, generally devoid of the negative stereotype traits of back stabbing, gossip, etc. that women often fall into.  Instead, it's a supportive group, most of us have been bonding with each other for years and years.  

We've all mourned the shocking loss of Doreen Speckmann and the recent passing of Pat Campbell.  Sadly, we realize there were others that are not among us now and certainly many more to come.  Currently, there are several instructors who are preparing for the imminent loss of their spouses as well.

We do try to rally around and help where we can.  Naturally, the first thought is to 'make a quilt'.  The Lehman family has specifically asked the quilting community to hold off on that as there is no way Libby could enjoy them now, nor could the family handle what would surely be a flood of quilts from well wishers.

Like many of us who are self-employed, health insurance is an issue, and long term care coverage a rarity.  Libby has a very, very long road ahead of her and her treatment will be costly.  

It's now clear that the family could use your help.  After a LOT of discussion we teachers are now actually making a quilt for Libby which will be given to the family for them to auction off as a fund raiser.  (Or we will auction it ourselves with proceeds going to Libby's medical fun, TBD.)  Imagine such a spectacular quilt made by the who's who in the quilt world....using Libby's favorite color scheme....greens and rusts...black will be our unifying color.  My block is pictured above.


If you would like to make a contribution to the "Libby Lehman Medical Fund", you may use PayPal - libby.medfund@gmail.com or send a check to her sister, Cathy Arnold at 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019 for deposit into a special account at JPMorgan Chase Bank.



Updates on Libby's progress are in the  "Journal" section at Caring Bridge.  Please drop a note to her here:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbylehman

I'm sure many of you readers are already aware of Libby's situation.....but on the off chance you weren't.....I thought as we head into our 4th of July holiday festivities with family and friends, that we give some thought to helping Libby.  Greeting cards and fabric postcards are also most welcome and appreciated.




1 comment:

Robbie said...

How nice, Mary. I was so sadden when i heard about Libby last month. She was a great (&funny) instructor...I've taken 3 classes from her and also attended Ricky's seminar where she did presentations. Prayers are certainly with her and the family.