Quilts commemorate friendships for reunion

Mary Richards finishes a quilt. photo by Jim Mitchell Forty-five years ago, Mary Richards became a nun.

Although no longer part of the convent, she is returning to Lacrosse, Wisconsin, to reunite with 19 of her classmates. She chose to drive because of the quantity of baggage she is carrying with her: 19 quilts, one for each classmate.

Planning ahead, she has been making quilts for two years to present to her classmates. Last week she displayed the quilts at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters.

Friends drifted in and out to share coffee, pastries, and conversation as she put the finishing touches on the 19th quilt.

Richards refuses to estimate how many quilts she has made, but she admitted the number includes one for each of her six brothers and two sisters and all of her nieces and nephews.

Many of her quilts have been donated for various fund-raising events.

Besides the quilts, she spends considerable time creating items that she sells at craft fairs throughout Oregon and Washington.

Friends and fellow church-goers praise Richards for the time and energy she puts in at St. Edward's and for others.

She runs a weekly "sewing bee" at the church and is always ready to help out.

She does not shy away from telling the story of her life.

And she will undoubtedly return from her trip with 19 new stories to tell.