Jeanne & Nancy
Victoria resident Nancy Martens met her best friend Jeanne Coverdale at university in 1971. Nancy was assigned to share Jeanne’s dorm room except Jeanne thought she had a private room. It could have been a tense situation, but as Nancy puts it, “It was love at first sight”. For 40 years, Nancy and Jeanne have remained best friends living the adage that “friends are our chosen family.”
Last year, Jeanne was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and had a pacemaker and defibrillator installed to deal with heart damage from chemotherapy. Believing the worst was over, Jeanne planned a springtime party to celebrate and thank her family and friends for their support. Before that event could happen, however, she started feeling constantly sick and losing her balance. The cancer had returned and moved to her brain.
Jeanne has long been an avid quilter and in 1993 she founded a quilting business called Block Party Studios.
Last November, while Nancy was visiting, Jeanne designed a quilt panel from the poem “What Cancer Cannot Do.” Now, in honour of their 40-year friendship, Nancy is organizing the creation of 40 “What Cancer Cannot Do” quilts to be donated for fundraising projects to agencies serving people with cancer in Greater Victoria. Until now, Nancy has been a solo quilter, but this project has given her an under-standing of what Jeanne meant when she talked about the amazing community of quilters, as complete strangers have stepped forward to offer their talents and quilting passion. Nancy already has several of the 40 quilts made and is seeking more quilters’ help towards achieving her goal. If you are interested in helping Nancy by making one of these quilts or want to sponsor a quilt, please contact her.
Jeanne died September 14, 2011 four days before her 60th birthday.
Nancy Martens
