- by Philly Markowitz

My mom, Bette Markowitz , left us when she still remembered our names most of the time, still made us laugh, still loved her favourite music, and still knew that she was loved, deeply. I had the great honour of caring for her (in part) through her Alzheimer's journey and that experience changed me for the better. I am saddened for the world's loss. If you knew her, you know why. I won the lottery by being her daughter. Her curiosity, quickness, creativity, generosity, wit, drive, and capacity for love were a formidable combination. She embraced adventure, loved strangers, and created safe and inclusive spaces for everyone. She was a great teacher and role model.

Over the last two years, since my parents moved in to the retirement home in Barrie, I have been looking for this piece of art which my mother made maybe 20 years ago. Over the years, she made hundreds of quilted items, but this was the one that really spoke to me, the one piece I wanted to keep. It’s called Seeds of Change.

EDIT: I am remembering more about this piece. When my mother made it, she was studying, so-called “naïve“ quilts that were popular in African-American communities in the south. She was replicating that technique in the blocks. I also believe that the compass shape in the middle may represent the north star, and therefore signify the underground railroad. This would all makes sense, given the name of the piece. And the combination of lightness over top of dark. Again, my memory is a little foggy, but I like to believe this is true.

After the move, I couldn’t find it. I tore my house apart looking for it, and I was convinced it had been donated away by accident. I made my peace with the idea that someone else was enjoying it.A week ago, I started a Swedish death clean at my house. In the back of my mind was the hope that I might stumble across this small wall quilt. Yesterday, while going through my mother’s closets, I found this tucked away on a top shelf in a pillowcase. It had been waiting for me there the whole time. I am so thrilled to be able to put this on my wall to remember her by. Not that I will ever forget her, but I want to remember her artistry in particular.

My mother was an artist. Her deep love of beauty, and especially her deep understanding and use of colour, was something she played with and celebrated throughout her life. She worked in many media, with textiles and plants being her two main loves. Her desire to create beauty was unstoppable. Zoom in on this photo and take a look at the detail, and you will understand the love she brought to all her work.

Next week, I will donate 40 bins of quilting cottons to the Bluewater Quilters' Guild so that they might use those fabrics in their own projects. I have negotiated with them that they will create a quilt for the Alzheimer’s Society of Grey Bruce, to be auctioned or raffled as a fundraiser. The Guild has also offered to make tactile lap quilts for people in memory care in the area, and other caring projects. I am thrilled to be able to help my mother’s legacy live on through other people who will love and appreciate the things that she was passionate about.