Example Quilt Squares & Stories

Below is a sampling of quilt squares, honoring recipients and donors, and the stories behind them.  Each square is created with love and kindness and is a wonderful tribute to the miracles of donation and transplantation.  Click on any square to view a FULL SIZE pdf file.

Quilt 1 - Walter B. Idler (Heart Recipient)

Walter received a new heart June 2, 1991.  A native Washingtonian, Walter was in the Navy during the Korean War Conflict on a destroyer escort.  He worked for Cascade Corp. for 16 years before becoming self-employed in an industrial chrome plating shop.   He played baseball and fast-pitch softball for 23 years. He loves to fish and also has participated in the sport of bowling for many years.  Walter has 11 kids, 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Walter went back to work three months after his transplant and is still working at the time of this writing, but hopes to retire at the age of 65 in July 2000.

Quilt 1 - Sharon Strickland (Heart Recipient)

Sharon was born with a heart defect and was ten years old before the doctors decided she might have a hole in the ventricular wall.  During open heart surgery Dr. Albert Starr discovered other complications.  A temporary ‘fix’ served her well until her mid forties when trouble again began to plague her.  A heart transplant was needed to make Sharon healthy again.  After a three-month wait, a successful surgery in 1994 restored Sharon's health.  She works full time in the educational system with elementary and middle school students and spends her summers riding horseback, fishing, and enjoying the health she never had before.  Sharon says words cannot express the gratitude and humility one feels at receiving the gift of a transplant.  She has always believed things are not the most important things in life, and the gift of a transplant reinforces this belief.

(back to top)

Quilt 3 - Shawn Henrichsen (Donor) & Dorothy Bailey (Heart Recipient)

This quilt square was designed by Dorothy Bailey, who received a heart transplant on August 2, 1998.  It honors her donor Shawn Henrichsen.  Shawn was killed at age 33 in a car accident, and his family chose to give the gift of life.  He was survived by his wife and seven month old son as well as his parents and six sisters and three brothers.  Two other brothers had died at young ages.  Shawn was known to be a very generous and kind young man.  He spent two years in Japan as a missionary for his church.  He loved life and lived it to the fullest.  Dorothy Bailey is a wife and grandmother of four, who all are very grateful she received a heart and has been able to continue in their lives.  But with God all things are possible, Mt. 19:26.

Quilt 3 - Ernie Smith (Liver Recipient) 

I designed the square to celebrate my husband’s liver transplant.  I chose the sunflower because to me they represent strength, happiness, and the sun – a symbol of a new beginning … all of which we were blessed with when Ernie received his transplant on 1-4-99.  Ernie spent over 20 years in a career of law enforcement and corrections, where he likely contracted the Hepatitis C virus that destroyed his liver.  During the long months he was awaiting that miraculous call, he was too ill to work.  But it didn’t keep him down totally.  He devoted his time to volunteer work in our community: mowing lawns, planting flowers, weeding flowerbeds, and painting signs.  He served on numerous nonprofit organization committees, as well as publicly spoke to promote organ donation.  He is now back to work as an Investigator for the Department of Corrections in Salem.

(back to top)

Quilt 3 - Sean Christopher Padrick (Donor)

At the age of 21 1/2, Sean Christopher Padrick became an organ and tissue donor.  He made the decision to be a donor when he was 17 years old.  He and his mother discussed donation when he went to get his driver’s license.  His family will always be grateful for that discussion as it made the decision an easy one when the tragic accident occurred.  Sean was accidentally shot in the head by his best friend with a .22 the friend thought was unloaded.  This happened at a birthday party for his friend on February 20, 1999.  Through Sean’s gifts of life he has helped fifty-four people.  His heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas gave new life to four people and his tissue and corneas have helped fifty others live a better quality of life.  His family and friends miss Sean terribly but are so proud of him for being the generous, loving person he was.

Quilt 6 - Audrey (Cornea Recipient,) Blake (Living Donor) & Joseph Adams (Kidney Recipient)

This quilt square celebrates the miracle of organ and tissue donation that has touched three generations of a family. In October 1985, Audrey Adams received a cornea that succeeded in preventing loss of the eye. The timing proved to be ironic. Audrey returned home from her cornea transplant to learn her second grandchild had just been born, a boy named Joseph who was the firstborn child of her own firstborn, Blake Adams. Audrey claims today, the one whose birth coincided with her tissue transplant became the one who needed an organ transplant later on. Joseph Adams was barely 9 years old when, in November 1994, he was hospitalized with renal failure and diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. The illness turned a once healthy 8 year-old boy into a 9 year-old dependent on a dialysis machine to survive. He remained on peritoneal dialysis treatment for most of two years. The quest for a kidney transplant was an adventure in itself. Although Joseph had a living donor available, his first three surgeries were canceled due to ill-timed infections. After a long and frustrating summer in 1996, the forth time proved to be the charm when Joseph received his father’s left kidney on September 9th of that year. Dr. Barry performed both operations at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. In 2003 Joseph got his first job, started his senior year in high school, and became an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project he gave back in an inspiring way---collecting games, books, videos, and other items to help keep children entertained while on dialysis at Emanual Hospital.

(back to top)

Quilt 6 - Mark Greenly (Donor)

My son, Mark Greenly, was killed in a motorcycle accident in June 2003. His wish to be a donor was honored by his sister, Denyse Hergberg of Lebanon, Oregon with whom Mark lived.  We are very proud that this was his wish. It is such a privilege to design a square for the Threads of Life Quilt in the honor of my son, Mark. The square I am submitting reflects Mark’s interest as an avid wilderness camper, an Oakland Raiders fan, and a Harley Davidson rider. He was a skilled woodworker and his sisters, friends and I have wonderful samples of his work. Family was very important to him. We all miss him so much. I wish you much success in creating awareness for donors.

Quilt 6 - Uncle John (Living Donor) & Lucas Ugarte (Kidney Recipient)

This square is dedicated to my brother John who donated his kidney to our 4-year old son, Lucas. The surgery was this past summer. We feel extremely blessed that my brother was so willing to donate. Lucas is 4 ½ now. I couldn’t decide how to do the quilt square and I’m not very good at art. So one night, I asked Lucas what he would write on a card if he was going to give one to his Uncle John. Well, I wrote on the quilt square word for word what Lucas told me. I asked him what to draw and he said he would draw himself and Uncle John holding hands. So that’s what I did. It’s not fancy, but it’s from Lucas’s heart. As a side note, Lucas is not our first child to go through this. Our daughter Roma had a transplant 4 1/2 years ago. We are so thankful for organ donation. Her dad donated to her.

(back to top)

Quilt 6 - Tiffany Danielle Daugherty (Donor)

This quilt square is a heart outlined with Tiffany’s name, dates and her silhouette in the center.  Tiffany was a very special young lady to all who knew her. She was full of LOVE, LIFE & GENEROSITY. Her wishes before she entered eternal life were to be an organ donor. Her donations included her heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, bone, tendons, ligaments, veins, skin and her corneas. Tiffany was very outgoing and had a bubbly personality. She loved people of all ages, nationalities and all walks of life. She was a model and an aspiring actress. She loved writing poetry, photography, water sports, Raider games, going to the beach, sunbathing, hanging out with her family and having fun.

Quilt 6 - Ann Torgerson (Living Donor) & Tom Zyp (Kidney Recipient)

This quilt square is a special tribute to a special teacher friend Ann who donated her kidney to my husband Tom upon hearing that I was not able to donate. Ann and her husband are Blazer basketball fans, joining us at games.  Ann continues to teach for the Hillsboro School District.

(back to top)

Quilt 7 - Terry Fugate - Donor

This block was designed to appear as though one were looking through a window and seeing flowers. The block is in memory of my younger brother Terry Fugate, 4/21/1970 - 9/03/2002. Terry was diagnosed with Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy at age seven. It is so very hard to sum up what Terry meant to all of us in just a few words. He was the most wonderful person I have ever known.  He never complained about the disease that slowly crippled him, eventually taking his life.  He lived life to its fullest, enjoying hobbies such as building model railroads and racing RC cars. Terry was such a loving and giving person, even giving what he could at the end of his life by being a donor for Lion’s Eye Bank of Oregon. May whoever received Terry’s gift look upon this world with his kindness, generosity and faith – and see the flowers.

Quilt 8 - Donor Families - (MarieAnne Ross - Recipient)

My family made this quilt square for all who have and who will donate life to another. My wife MariAnne Cheves-‘Ross received a heart on March 19, 2003. She was able to be with us for 14 more months before she passed away. I have not been able to write to the donor family and thank them. My son Jess and I are planning on doing that this summer. We wish to let you know how much it means to us and all the people who receive the gift that is given. I hope this simple square will say what I want to say to all living and non-living donors and their families as well. Jess would like to let everyone know that even though we know someone had to give their life for MariAnne to receive her new heart, we are still very thankful and always will be. We also want to thank the doctors and nurses at OHSU who helped us through all we have been through. If it weren’t for them, my mom would have died before I was even 6 years old, and I am now 13 years old. So thank you. Sincerely, the Ross family and the Chavez family.

(back to top)

Quilt 8 - Jason Eisele - Donor

The picture on the quilt square was taken one day after his 17th birthday and just 6 days before our beloved son Jayson Scott Eisele was killed in a car accident that was not his fault on August 30, 2005 in his 1970 Monte Carlo. His favorite color was blue, and the stars are for the Heavens above, where he is now. Jayson had told his only sibling and best friend Amber just 2 days before the accident that he would like to be an organ donor. Amber remembered, so two people received corneas. He also donated tissue, bone and heart valves. We look forward to hearing from the recipients and are glad his gifts have helped to change or save lives. Jayson would have been a junior at Oregon City High School, where last spring he got his first straight “A” report card. He played Lacrosse his freshman and sophomore years and made the Varsity team last spring. His number was #10. A week before his death Jayson was very proud and thankful to receive his lettermen’s jacket from his Grandma B. He loved his family and the yearly reunions at Chinook, Washington, snowboarding, camping, trout fishing, tubing and boating. Our hearts are broken and sad because we wanted more time. But for now we must wait until the Lord calls us home to heaven where we will have eternity with you, Jayson. To the world you are but one person, but to one person you are the world!

Quilt 8 - Gary Kisling - Recipient

Because doctors were rare in southern Idaho in 1941, Gary was 6 years old before his congenital aortic valve defect was diagnosed. In school he was allowed to participate only in baseball and as an adult, he realized his heart problem would shorten his life. He planned accordingly. In 1984 he received an artificial aortic value, a bypass and a pacemaker that helped for many years. By 1996 his heart condition was significantly impacting his life and he felt he had little time left with his 5 children. But on June 12, 2000 he received his new heart and felt like the luckiest person in the world. Surgery went well, but he soon became very ill with CMV, a virus that his donor had and then suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  His survival was nothing short of a miracle. Gary’s donor family, Jim and Roma Nelson, gave the gift of life to others and to Gary when their son Jeff died at 37 years old. Although they are corresponding, Gary’s goal is to thank them in person. As a recipient, Gary, now 65, gives back by serving on the Oregon Donor Program (now Donate Life Northwest) Board of Directors chairing the annual golf tournament and giving donor cards to family, friends, strangers, and business clients. He has visited with three heart patients at OHSU awaiting a donor heart. Gary expresses his deepest appreciation to his donor family for their difficult decision in a time of unimaginable grief and to the cardiology transplant team at OHSU.  He extends a special thanks to the Oregon Donor Program staff and board who work hard to inform and educate people about giving the Gift of Life.

James Norris Scruggs was born a strong light in his family's life, a beautiful spirit with a kind heart and great sense of humor. He loved the outdoors, family, friends and fun. Always willing to lend a hand, James had decided he wanted to become an organ donor. Like the salmon, he fought an incredible battle sustaining life so the right young man, Jason James Morden, received his kidney.  Jason, not a fish eater prior to transplant, now craves salmon several times a week. Salmon was one of James' favorite meals, and like the salmon, James extended life through his death. We're grateful his life as we knew it ended with a beautiful new beginning for Jason. James will be with those who loved him eternally and his light will always shine.  At the time we were losing James I felt angry about his being a donor because I didn't want him to go, but now I would encourage any family left with this choice to know it is the only choice: to continue a life that does have a chance. What a wonderful legacy!  Quilt Square Submitted by Debbie Boardman, Aunt