Quilt #88 Ashlee Lloyd

Jeannie Thomas, Jan Myrberg, Joan Schneiter, Ashlee Lloyd, Debbie Stringfellow and littles

Quilt #88 was presented to Ashlee Lloyd, our dear Toni Martin's daughter by Joan Schneiter. Toni passed away from cancer in December. She had always planned to be part of this quilt presentation and many of us are sure, she was in attendance.

Joan Schneiter writes:

Ashley and  her mother Toni 

This quilt is a mother/daughter thank you quilt to Ashlee Martin Lloyd. On June 18th, 2019, Toni Martin received a quilt from our book club on her 60 birthday as she was battling stage four melanoma cancer. Ashlee’s quilt is from the scraps of Toni’s quilt. During Toni’s valiant, grace- filled-battle, Ashlee was particularly attentive to her mom, affectionately known to the family as Tonz. Ashlee cleaned, cooked, finished her mom’s projects, and continued to be her mom’s confidant and friend. She said on many occasions, “I do this selfishly because I just want to be with my mom!” Toni and Ashlee had a beautiful mother/daughter relationship. Toni had several difficult hospitalizations during her battle and Ashlee held her mom’s hand through every trial.  She and her mom exchanged three hand squeezes to say, “I love you!” Ashlee, her dad, and brothers were with Tonz until the end of her earthly journey on the morning of December 18th, 2019.

Ashlee is very much like her beloved Tonz: she is funny, loving, kind, a great cook, gracious, creative, and a fabulous mother. Ashlee is part of her momma, and Toni lives on through her children and grandchildren. Toni taught her children to love with fierceness and loyalty. One of Toni’s gifts that she passed on to Ashlee is the ability to humbly listen with intensity. Ashlee is part of her momma just like her quilt is part of her momma’s quilt. 

Karen (Joan's daughter), Jane, Joan, Ashlee and Debbie and littles

My mom, Jane Myrberg, helped me put this quilt together.  Toni saw the finished quilt top in November. I used Toni’s favorite quilter to quilt it, Donna Signs. I think this quilt is also from Toni! My mom finished all but two sides of the binding and on one of our quilt days, Toni’s sisters Debbie and Christy came to help finish it up. Barbara Holt and Christy finished the binding--it was a sweet day. As I watched Toni’s sisters interacting with our quilt group, I thought Toni would be smiling and laughing watching all of us together.  Love is in the stitches that bind us together.

I talked to Ashlee the other day and indicated that she is now an honorary Book Club member. We all feel a sisterhood with these talented, compassionate and lovely women. Love in the stitches.....