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JEFFREY GUTCHEON Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JEFFREY GUTCHEON
Sponsored by Patty McNulty, NYC quilting student.
Latty Raftery McNulty
April 8, 2025
I met Jeffrey Gutcheon at a quilt show in Ridgefield CT in the late 1970´s. `79? He had a table with fabric for sale and I picked a few of them to purchase because they were beautiful. He asked "Who are you?" I replied that I was no one special. A painting student at SVA,(Last name Raftery then.) He said I had picked all his antique fabric reproductions. He convinced me to come take a quilting workshop at his downtown loft. I did. I made one quilt there and had a blast. He was a live wire. Endlessly interesting. Kind. My heart was broken when I tracked down David and learned about his failing health and memory. I will surely never forget Jeffrey Gutcheon.
Larry Tasse
June 24, 2024
Helped my band The Hello People learn how to sing Jazz Harmonies. Larry Tasse
[email protected]
Marilyn Henrion
May 27, 2023
Addendum to my previous remarks.....
I first met Jeffrey at his loft/shop in the Cable Building on Houston Street in the 1970's (around the corner from my Greenwich Village apartment). I had recently transitioned from paint to textiles as my medium of choice and had begun quilt making. His encouragement and teaching skills in those early days was invaluable. I went on to become a professional fiber artist whose works are included in museum, corporate and private collections internationally. I am also represented in the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art. It is now over 50 years later and, at age 91, I am still producing and exhibiting new works with all the vigor of those days, thanks in no small measure to Geoff's early support. May he rest in peace.
Marilyn Henrion
May 27, 2023
His quirky personality could not disguise this brilliant and complex man, a great teacher...he is missed.
Larry
June 25, 2020
I was a member of The Hello People. Jeff was a friend of our drummer N.D. Smart who was also a member of Great Speckled Bird. We were a very good vocal group as well as other assets. Jeff thought we could sing in the style of the Hi-Los or Letterman and was teaching us closed harmonies. What a sweetheart of a guy. Just one of the many many many musicians unheralded in the golden era of Rick and Roll and its Sister Genres. May the Quilt of The Universe keep him safe, warm and as I am sure, accepting of all his Original Designs and Patches. Larry Tasse another passing ship on the sea of music ❤
Here we are playing the Newport Folk Festival 1966. Fond memories of making music with Jeff.
Mitch Greenhill
June 24, 2020
Wish I had a recording of his rag in honor of my son Matt Greenhill.
Ron Konowitz
June 24, 2020
If I haven't said it in my original posting, Jeffrey was a very kind, understanding and giving person. My family moved from the Bronx to Washington Heights when I was in the sixth grade. I wasn't a particularly shining student at P.S. 187, especially with respect to math. Jeffrey volunteered to tutor me in math. He was very patient and supportive. I will never forget his kindness. Jeffrey, I hope you're at peace in Heaven.
Sandra Small Proudfoot
June 24, 2020
In this very difficult time of the CoronaVirus, it lifted my spirits to see Jeffery Gutcheon's memory honoured today. I met Jeff and Beth, his then wife, at a conference in Toronto in 1977, which my quilt guild sponsored and which Jeff, Beth, Jean Ray Laury, Virginia Avery, Michael James, Kim Ondaatje and others participated in and created a magical moment for quilters from all over North America who attended the event. And my personal thanks to Jeff, who was a textile converter, eventually and who, when I wrote to him about my medical issue in regard to my quilt cloth, his honesty in sharing this one comment, changed my life: "Cloth is one big chemical bath from beginning to end" Jeff told me. He helped explain my unusual reactions to my quilt cloth inhaling the fumes through a hot steam iron into my respiratory system. I am forever grateful to Jeff for his support in this. He was a very gifted man, but a human being, as we all are. To his son and to his former wife Beth, a successful author in her own right, Sandy Small Proudfoot, in Canada
Lesly-Claire Greenberg
June 24, 2019
Thinking of Jeffrey on this the Anniversary of his passing. Rest in peace.
Sandra Small Proudfoot
June 24, 2019
This is my second comment here on Jeff Gutcheon, truly a talented person. Jeff and his then wife Beth, a successful author in her own right, were guest speakers and teachers at the first Canadian Quilt Conference I co-convened and conceived of, in 1977 in Toronto. It was because of Jeff and Beth's creative work, along with other guest artists that influenced and inspired me to, at the age of 43, apply to the Ontario College of Art to study design. I graduated in 1989 with a diploma in design. Their wonderful quiltwork encouraged me to go further with my education and I am forever grateful to have shared that short space of time in which we connected. Jeff was truly a gifted artist.
Sandra Small Proudfoot
Mono, Ontario, Canada.
Ron Konowitz
June 20, 2018
My deepest condolences to Jeffrey's family. I grew up with Jeff on Fort Washington Ave. in Washington Heights. We oth attended P.S. 187 where he shined in every subject. He played the recorder at that time and he very generously tutored me in math. My very best wishes to his family.
Ron Konowitz
Delray Beach, Florida
Jan Canyon
September 21, 2017
Jeff was the first person I took a class from on designing art quilts in Seattle, WA. It was maybe the 70's then. His class was like nothing else and fired my desire to make quilts and to venture off the grid. He was an inspiration and a great talent and had such an impact in many creative arenas. I still have your books and am sorry to hear of your passing. Thank you for inspiring me.
Larry Tasse
November 14, 2015
I was in a band called the Hello People. Very harmony oriented. Jeff was a friend of our drummer N.D Smart. I remember Jeff sitting at the piano in our studio in the hills above Mulholland and Woodrow Wilson Dr. in LA. He was teaching us how to sing in closed harmonies like the Hi-Lo's. I sang bass and eventually we sounded like the Hi-Lo Hello People. Now I just borrowed his "How to Play Rock Piano" from my local library to use to teach my gifted students how to play Rock and Roll piano. By the way I always love to hear the piano part he played on Arlo Guthrie's beautiful song "City of New Orleans". Rock on Jeff, Rock on!
Mitch Greenhill
November 21, 2014
Very sorry to hear this. Have been wondering what happened to my old music partner. We played Newport together. Remember his stride compositions in praise of rug rats Mattie Greenhill and Jenny Muldaur.
Joshua Eveland
September 18, 2014
I met Jefferey working security at the Kimball Collection in Ft Worth. Upon seeing my drawings at a local show he became the first patron of my work, choosing two of the best I produced. I always remember his toes tapping and his fingers moving as if in the middle of a jazz session. He will be missed.
Patty McNulty
September 16, 2014
I met Jeffrey at a quilt show in Ridgefield, Connecticut in the late 70's. He had a table of quilting fabrics to sell. I chose some to purchase, and he remarked, "You've chosen all the best ones, the antique reproductions! Who are you?" I told him that I was an art student at SVA who like to sew, and wanted to learn to quilt. He told me that he was giving lessons in NYC, and that I should come. I did. I made my first quilt in his space in that corner building on Houston Street. While he taught, he told stories about his family, and his great love and admiration for them, he talked about his music, and fighting for his rights on the music for "Ain't misbehavin". He was smart, energetic and energizing, generous, funny and emanated a zest for life that I cannot say I have ever seen matched. I have thought of him so many times over the years; even sought out and his Rock Piano Book online. I contacted his son a few years ago by email to see if I could find him, only to learn that he was very ill. I passed on a message through David to let his Dad know how important he was to me, and how very much I appreciated those weeks in the presence of one so fully alive. He said that he would, and for that I am grateful. RIP Jeffrey Gutcheon. I am so very glad to have had the priviledge to know you.
Gretchen Carlson Collins
November 17, 2013
I loved and admired him dearly
and will always be grateful for
the kindness he gave me.
Nel Lynch
September 29, 2013
Rest in Peace
September 24, 2013
I always think that people I've known, however briefly and remotely, will live on forever and therefore it was with great sadness and shock to discover that Jeff passed away in June of this year. My contact with Jeff and with his former wife, Beth, came during the 1977 Canadian Quilt Symposium, in which both participated at York University in Toronto. His talent and Beth's were very evident but it was Jeff's designwork that was most exciting. He opened up the world of quilt design, along with Michael James and others in such a way that it's never been the same since. But the greatest impact Jeff's knowledge has had on me was when I became seriously ill after an adverse reaction to an anesthetic in 1985. I wrote Jeff, on the advice of my medical doctor who advised that I learn more about the chemicals used in the making and finishing of cloth. Jeff's words were: "Cloth is one big chemical bath from beginning to end" and with that one comment, it lead me to investigate the quilt cloth I'd been working with for years and could now put a name to the fact that cloth is anything but benign. I remember Jeff and Virginia Avery at my home the day after the conference, all waiting for various flights out of Toronto and both of them belting out tunes on the piano in our home...it was magical and it was musical. I'm sorry, Jeff, a bright light has been extinguished.
Sandra Small Proudfoot, Mono, Ontario Canada and formerly president of the Etobicoke Quilters Guild who sponsored the '77 conference in which you were a guest lecturer and teacher.
Barbie Pratt
September 21, 2013
I feel honored to have known this great man. I was employed by Gutcheon Patchworks in Tacoma around 1993. I learned a lot about quilting and the fabric world from him and his wife at the time, Paula. We lost touch after he moved away from Tacoma, but I have often thought about him and was amazed by his many talents. You will be missed, Jeff.
Karen Alexander
August 13, 2013
I first met Jeff in 1981 or 1982 when he spoke in Richmond, VA. I was new to quilting and he was the first to open my eyes to thinking outside the box when it came to art and quilts. Flash forward 22 years. Such pleasant memories of working with Jeff while preparing for the Grand Opening of The Quilters Hall of Fame in July 2004. I think it had only been about 12-18 months since his heart surgery, if I recall the facts correctly. Wish I could have recorded our many phone conversations prior to the event. He rambled over such interesting intellectual subjects at will and threw in bits and pieces of his years in the quilt world as well. We chatted a lot about music too since my husband is also a jazz musician. Poor guy, he had to truck around with me during the 3-day grand opening because I was his designated driver. We got lost on our way to a dinner for a TQHF function the night before the Big Day. I didn't know Marion (Indiana) that well in 2004 and it had so many one-way streets. I was fit to be tied because I was one of the hosts but he was as calm as a cucumber. At that dinner, as I sat across the table from him, I leaned over to the TQHF founder Hazel Carter (who was seated next to me) and whispered, “Dare me to sing a song to Jeffrey right here on the spot?” (I used to be a soloist and loved to sing Broadway music). She dared me so I stood up and simply said, “This is in honor of Jeffrey Gutcheon” and sang “On the Street Where You Live” to him. He was floored. (So was I!) I think it was his utter lack of frustration over my getting lost and confused more than once that endured him to me forever. Wish we could have recorded more of Jeff's oral history before he left us. My condolences to his family.
July 28, 2013
I fondly remember Jeff from my first art quilt class at Haystack in the summer of 1985. Cathy Nyhan Berkeley, California
Ellen Bate
July 28, 2013
It is with great sadness that I read of Jeff's death. I first met Jeff when I was a teenager. He was friend to my older sister's boyfriend. I was then reacquainted when I lived in Cambridge, Mass. I have admired him and his varied talents over many, many decades. I am sad that he is gone.
Anne Copeland
July 5, 2013
Jeffrey Gutcheon was, and will remain, one of the pioneer quilt giants. He really made an impact on the quilt world that will live on for a very long time.
Clay Eals
July 5, 2013
Jeff was a generous source and kind friend throughout my eight years (1999-2007) of researching and writing the biography "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music." Far beyond the information and insights attributed to him in the book, Jeff was a confidante, adviser and champion whose behind-the-scenes roles broadened the book's scope and impact immeasurably. He also was a delightful collaborator in a Goodman tribute held in 2001 on nearby Guemes Island, which reunited him with harmonica player Saul Broudy and autoharpist Bryan Bowers. In my mind, I can still hear Jeff's bedrock piano buoying us all. He was, in my experience, a dear and gentle man, and I will think of him fondly to the end of my own days.
Lynn Payne
July 3, 2013
I'm saddened to hear of the loss of this truly amazing man. I am a previous quilt shop owner and regular quilt market visitor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Richard Curtis
July 2, 2013
Farewell to the guy who introduced me to gin, Monk, duct tape, the Hi-Los, sheetrock screws, the circle of
fifths, the A train, knishes, the Seagram Building, and, well... the list goes on. Thank you for finding me in the slushpile of teenage guitarists back in
1966 and including me in your plans to create some truly original music. It was a wonderful ride, and the company could not have been better.
Donna Savoy
July 2, 2013
such an influence on my quilting. We shall miss him.
Kerry Hinge
July 2, 2013
I never met him, but as a person new to quilting I have admired his work, he seems to have touch so many lives in such positive ways, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
July 1, 2013
A truly unique person. It was always a treat seeing him at Quilt Market and catching up on his latest adventures.
Wilma Hart, Quilts, Inc.
Anne Gallo
July 1, 2013
Thanks for your many contributions to the world. It was great to be your friend. New England and all the quilt world will miss you.
Cecile Uhry
July 1, 2013
My first encounter with Jeff was at his studio in Grennwich Village in the late 70's or early 80's. My friend Sally and I were on a Quilt Festival trip and part of the tour was to his shop. Certainly innovative in his fabric creations, and the American Classic Line that he produced is still my favorite. Thank you for his contributions to the world of Quilts.
Lesly-Claire Greenberg
July 1, 2013
Perhaps he is playing jazz again with Virginia Avery. He accomplished so much, and was a great influence on many. May he rest in peace.
Mort Fleischner
June 30, 2013
Jeff was editor in chief of The Stuyvesant Spectator the year before I was honored with the job. I remember him as talented, smart, fair, helpful. Never saw him after Stuyvesant, but always remembered him. May he rest in peace.
Mort Fleischner, SHS '59
White Plains, New York
Mark Rochkind
June 30, 2013
I saw Jeff on Oct 18, 2008 at the 50th Reunion of the Stuyvesant HS Class of '58. I had not seen him for 50 years. Jeff was a polymath already during his days at Stuyvesant. He was remarkably talented - and apparently lived a rich and accomplished life. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him.
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