A hole was torn in the fabric of the Magpies' nest when Celia Brown passed away on Friday, September 11. In August she had surgery and developed unexpected and severe complications.
 |
Fort Worth, 2016: stockyards tour on a rainy day
|
We met on in the mid-1990's on RCTQ, the rec.crafts.textiles.quilting newsgroup. Along with two dozen other RCTQ regulars we created the Magpies in order to chatter to our hearts' content. We've become a close-knit group with regular biennial in-person meetups -- this year in February. We were right on time to celebrate Celia's 81st birthday.
 |
At the premiere Chicago Quilt Festival, 2003. Judy, Celia, Anna, Julie, Nann
|
Celia Rose Malkin Brown lived her entire life in Malden, Massachusetts (except for college years at RISD in Providence). She and her late husband Ben raised their three children in a wonderful 1890's house in Malden, and she still lived there. When I had library conferences in Boston I would schedule an extra day to visit her. Each time she planned an interesting excursion to a museum or a shop or a restaurant (or all three). I partially returned the favor when she came to Chicago for the premiere Quilt Festival at Rosemont in 2003.
 |
The Hawaiian applique quilt was a long-term project. Las Cruces, 2008.
|
In addition to being an accomplished needlewoman—quilting, knitting, needlepoint—Celia was widely-read and well-traveled, knowledgeable about everything (art, literature, history, music, gardening). She was a wonderful hostess and an excellent cook. She was gracious, generous, and loving. She was a Woman Who Knew Her Mind (and let people know).
One feature of our current times is the prevalence of Zooming for all manner of gatherings. The graveside service on Monday was on Zoom. The shiva on Wednesday evening was on Zoom. We could join from wherever in the world we were to share our memories and celebrate our beloved Celia.
 |
San Marcos, February 2020
|
 |
| The first PieFest, Ruidoso, NM |
 |
| PieFest East, August, 1999: Tami, Verdi, Celia, me |
 |
Kansas City, 2001: Verdi, Chris, Tami, Celia, Me
|
Celia, Carolyn, and I when Prairie Home Companion came to Las Cruces when the Magpies were there, 2008.
At Las Colchas quilt shop in San Antonio, 2020.
Hope you hear her laughter and see her smiles when you think of her ~
ReplyDeleteWe've lost a few of our golden quilters near here in the past few years. It's so much talent being lost and not many up-coming.
Bless you for continuing the tradition.
I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved friend
ReplyDeleteoh nann...sorry for your loss...tis the nature of life at the stage....still heart breaking to experience....
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have lots of warm memories of your times together. I always wondered about the Magpies and how you got together.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing photos of her and your friends.
It looks like she had well lived life.
What a great smile.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. Looks like you have great memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your friend. It made me sad to have not known her except through your eyes. It is definitely a sad time for the Magpies.
ReplyDeleteGood friends are a true gift. It is so important to let them know that they are treasured while still with us. What a loving memory you have of your friend.
ReplyDeleteOh good--you have the PHC photo! I was hoping someone else (besides me) would be able to get her hands on it, as I'm roughly 1,000 miles away from my photo files.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to our Celia.
C
{{{HUGS}}} and prayers to Celia's family and to all the Magpies. So fun to follow all of the Magpie adventures.
ReplyDeleteDebbi (Debbi in So CA)