Driving "Miss Daisy"

Those of you who knew Auline will know what the title of this post means.  I’ll tell you all about it later in the post.

Let me share a little about a dear, precious friend who left us Friday morning to live with Jesus forever.

I met Auline Dunn and her daughter Jan Stogner when I joined Southern Samplers many years ago.  It’s been about 20 years so Auline would have been close to the age I am now.  It was an almost instant bond of friendship.  I can not explain what they have meant to me over the years.  Auline was always capable of cheering someone up and giving good advice without imposing her opinion on you.  She didn’t gossip.  She was always patient.  She was a kind,  gentle soul with a wonderful sense of humor.  She was one of those for-real Southern ladies.  She was a Christian and led by example.  She was a “character” who had character.   She had the most incredible smile and her laugh was infectious.   She was loved by many.

Auline was always up for an adventure and never wanted to be left behind if there was going to be fun  involved.  She and her cousin, Pat traveled several times to “romp” with us when we had “Quilters Romp” in different places.   Lots of times, I drove us all here & there while we were romping (retreating).  Auline never had to drive because someone else did it for her!   She loved it.  So we named her Miss Daisy and she got the biggest kick out of it.  The nickname stuck.

Auline & Pat at our first Quilter’s Romp in Mountain View, AR

She always made her place within the group and was an absolute joy to be around.  I have many fond memories of time spent with her.  One time I designed a Louisiana themed mystery quilt for a romp I hosted here in Hammond and bless her heart, she struggled with it.  She finally told me that she just wished she could see what was going on in my brain  for me to come up with such things.  It was a true “Miss Daisy” moment and I treasure the memory of it.  That mystery is still unfinished in her UFO’s.  I told Jan we had to pull it out and get it finished.  She agreed that it should be done.

Another time, Auline was relating a story involving Jesse, her wonderful husband.  According to the memory I have of the story, it went something like this:  They were getting ready to move to their new house  and as with all quilters, Auline had a size-able stash.  Jesse took a look and proclaimed that she must have a year’s worth of his salary tied up in that stuff.  Auline stoically replied “You *wish* you made that much money”.  I can just see it in my mind’s eye.  We have all laughed over that story many times.

Auline loved to go to different quilt shops.  Here’s the gang in Mountain Home, AR at the little quilt shop there.

Mountain Home, AR

There’s a wonderful old fashioned drug store in Mountain View, AR.  It’s called “Woods Pharmacy”.  They have an old soda fountain where they can make all kinds of wonderful things to eat & drink.  You can even have lunch there.  Here’s Miss Daisy enjoying a treat at Woods.

Yummmmmm!!!!

We were all upstairs in a room that overlooks the street.

I just had to take this picture as she came down the stairs.

We stayed at the Ozark Folk Center outside Mountain View.  The staff there was unbelievable!  Everything we even mentioned…..they took care of.  It was still off-season when were there but we asked if they could get a basket maker to bring some things to show us.  They called Leon and asked him to come see us.  He brought a bunch of baskets and I think he sold every single one.  He was thrilled!

Buying baskets

After a couple of years at Ozark Folk Center, we moved Quilters Romp to a huge 3 story cabin outside Jasper, AR.  It has 8 suites in it and a large living/dining area with lots of outside deck space.  As large as it was, we had to scale down the size of our gathering from 25 to about 10 people.  Jan joined us this particular year.  Here we are after a wonderful meal at Cliff House Inn.  It *really* does hang over the side of the cliff.  The view is beautiful.

Outside Cliff House Inn–Jasper, AR–back row L to R–Anita Pettijean, Janet Tetkoskie, Denise Russart.  Front row L to R–Jan Stogner, Pat Myers, Auline Dunn, Sheryl Till.

After lunch we went into the little town of Jasper.  It is an adorable, quaint, little place….but….they had a quilt shop!  So, of course we made a stop there and then we took a picture outside the town cafe.

Ozark Cafe, Jasper, AR

Hmmmm…looks like most of these pics are at eating establishments!

The last few years have been unkind to Auline.  She’s had some pretty major surgeries and some difficult recoveries.  In January, she arrived at the guild retreat not feeling well and was taken to the hospital.  She was not able to fight it this time.  She was ready.  She was unafraid and she had her dear Jesse and beloved daughter Jan at her side, holding her hands.

I know this post is full of pictures but I wanted you all to see what a wonderful person she was.  I am going to miss her so much.  There is no one else who can come close to replacing her for any of us who knew and loved her.

Dearest Miss Daisy—-I love you and you will always be in my heart.  Thank you for all the wonderful memories and special moments.  You will never be forgotten.

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Posted by Quilting Tizzy on February 11, 2013

http://quiltingtizzy.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/driving-miss-daisy/