Helen-Kelley-Obituary

Helen Longfield Kelley

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Kelley, Helen Longfield Quilter, Author, Teacher Age 81 of Mpls, MN Died Sept 1, 2008. Magnificent wife of 60 years to husband, Bill. Preceded in death by parents Reynolds and Helen Longfield; brother Reynolds; son William. Survived by husband, Bill; sister, Nancy (Dana) Rotman; daughters Helen...

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I think of Helen & Bill often, knowing that they are together again. Helen was a dear friend and I had been to their home numerous times, bring dessert, of course. I miss them... pj stitches!

My hubby and I were just talking about when we last saw Helen at Quilts Hall of Fame 2008. Miss her so much. Miss her books and QN Loose Threads. I remember the story about how she saw her quilt on the frame as she walked past to go get dressed after breakfast. She thought she would sit down for just a moment and do a few stitches. The next she knew it was almost noon and she needed to get lunch on the table. She quickly took out a leftover put it in the microwave and hurriedly got...

Helen & Bill Kelley -- together. I think of them often & my visits to their house. I still have "Loose Threads" articles roaming around the house where I run into them every once in a while; it helps. I will always miss them. Dear people! As ever, in stitches, pjstitches! now in sw Missouri; I traded my MN for an MO. pj!

I opened yet another QN to a page I had marked and there was another Dark Blue Quilt and it's the middle of winter again. I remembered her joking in an article about how she seemed to always be working on one in the winter.
May your lives be brightened by the memories of her laughter.

Shelia Gale
Western South Dakota

Thinking of you, Bill. Helen will always be in our hearts. I think of her often... pj

I will always miss you, Helem. You were such a wonderful friend. Thank you for being you and sharing so very much of yourself with the world!! pj (still more tears...)

I just wanted to express my condolences to the family of Helen Kelley. I have just found out about her passing. I have been reading 20 years worth of Quilters Newsletter Magazines and have loved her articles. She has taught me alot about quilting and about life. Just know that even though she is gone all these many years she is still teaching.

I have just finished Helen Kelley's book, Every Quilt Tells a Story. What a treasure she was and what a beautiful, positive outlook on life she had. I found pictures of her quilts online, truly amazing. My own mother passed away in 2001 so I know the loss never goes away, but I hope there is joy in knowing that Helen's words and laughter found in her writing, continue to influence quilters who never met her. I feel like I have known her and she will definitely be in my mind as I make my own...

I've just discovered you, and now I find you're no longer here with us. May your new life bring you joy as you've brought joy and encouragement to others. Keep stitching...