A dear friend to the community

By: Pam Staton
Contributing Writer

We lost a dear friend this year.  Susan Witek, born May 20, 1934, passed away February 3, 2009 from a brain aneurism, while she was wintering at her home in Spanish Fort, Alabama.    Susan is survived by her husband Alvan Witek.

In memory of Susan Witek, the Friends of Extension Club, purchased the book, Quilts from The Quiltmaker’s Gift, by Joanne Larsen Line.  This book is a collection of 20 traditional patterns easy enough for quilting novices and challenging enough for seasoned quilters. This book was purchased and donated to the Moss Memorial Library in loving memory of Susan Witek.

Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift began as a companion to The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marchen, an inspired fable about a mythical quiltmaker who made the most beautiful quilts in the world – then gave them away to the poor and homeless.  (Read on and you will see that our beloved Susan, was very much like the character in this book,)  Later, The Quiltmaker’s Journey was published.  This book is a touching tale about the value of generosity and the spirit of community. In addition to being inspirational, these stories are beautifully illustrated and provide the reader with the opportunity of searching the pictures for hidden clues to the stories.

Moss Memorial Library now has all three companion books. If you are interested in quilting, please take the opportunity of visit the library and check out these books.  The members of Friends of Extension feel that it would make Susan happy, if youth and adults would use these books, to learn about quilting and the spirit of giving.  Hopefully these books will ignite a passion for quilting and sharing in others, similar to the passion Susan had.

Susan was a precious, gentle soul.  She was an avid quilter.  She always had multiple projects under way. Susan’s pieces were especially beautiful due to her precise workmanship and extraordinary skill in color selection.  Her homes are decorated with many of her lovely pieces. Susan was so generous.  The homes of her friends,  acquaintances, and those in need were also adorned with her beautiful, handmade items. Almost everyone I spoke with, after her passing, mentioned an item or items that she had made and given them.

The last time I saw Susan was when the Friends of Extension Club was setting up for the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, one year ago.  Susan came to help and was showing me several table runners that she had recently made. One table runner especially caught my eye and as I was admiring it, Susan generously gave it to me.  Susan always signed and dated her pieces and as she gave me the runner, she said she hadn’t had a chance to sign it.  I told her that the next time I saw her; I would bring a fabric pen, so she could personalize it.  Sadly that day never came.

Susan was a loyal member of the Friends of Extension Club.  We all miss Susan’s ever-positive attitude and smiling face.  We hope that Susan’s spirit will live on in the quilted treasures she liberally shared and also in the book in her memory, Quilts from The Quiltmaker’s Gift!