A Quilters' Gathering To Host Chemo Hat Fundraiser November 6 - 9, 2008

Jeanne Glenfield, 68, of Bedford, NH, passed away July 22nd after 14 months spent traveling and enjoying her family and friends while bravely battling cancer. She was born January 8th, 1939 in Lancaster, PA, the daughter of the late Mercer E. and Anna (Nancy) P. Gibson. A draftswoman at the Itek Corporation in the early 1960's, Jeanne took great pleasure in her various artistic endeavors. Although an early officer of the Chelmsford Art Society, it was her participation in the Chelmsford Garrison House that led her to a lifelong interest in quilting. She was an active member of several quilt guilds and associations. Her proudest achievement, besides her children and grandchildren, was being co-founder of A Quilters' Gathering, an event held every November since 1989 that draws quilters from all over the country as well as the globe.

Ann Penn, co-ordinator of the Chemo Hat Project Fundraiser, met Jeanne when she was a member of Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild and lived in Pepperell, MA.  She had just purchased hat patterns from Helen Littrell in Oregon to make for several friends diagnosed with lung and breast cancers when the news of Jeanne’s death was announced to SCQG members.  The idea of the hat project fundraiser to honor Jeanne’s memory at A Quilter’s Gathering began to take shape.  Permission was granted by Helen Littrell, the pattern designer, and the Glenfield sisters, Sarah, Amy and Kate, who felt this project was a giving and caring way to help those, like their mother, who suffer from cancer.

If you would like to purchase your own copyrighted hat pattern, visit Helen’s website at www.chemohatpatterns.com to select the style, and mail a check for $5, with phone # and email to:  Helen Littrell, 4421 Blackberry Court; Dept CH, Klamath Falls  OR  97603.

Helen’s goal is to make attractive and comfortable head wear for cancer patients or (bad hair days) and to have her pattern used by groups, like Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild members, to donate to cancer units on a regular basis. She is so pleased to be a participant, although at a distance, in the Quilter’s Gathering event November 6 - 9, 2008 in this very, very worthwhile cause. The Cover Cap and Day N Night patterns use approx ½ yard cotton or flannel prewashed fabric, ¼” elastic or self tie, a small piece of batting for the brim and 30 minutes or less of your time.

Hats can be purchased for $5 or $10 donation if you wish to wear one or give to a friend who has lost hair due to radiation and chemo treatments. Most people need 3; one to wear, one to wash and one for a spare.  Donations of any amount are welcomed.  All donations are made in Jeanne’s memory; checks can be made to Saints Memorial Cancer Center and mailed to 1 Hospital Drive, Lowell, MA 01852.

A big thank you to all the SCQG members who helped donate fabric, attend the workshops held at the Groton Senior Center to make more hats, sewed hats at home on their own time and volunteered to help accept donations at the Gathering.  

Thanks Helen for allowing us to use your patterns for this special fundraiser event!

Contact:  Marie Geary    978-256-2672   or  Ann Penn     978-433-2665