Friends help 90-year-old complete quilting project she started with her sister 16 years ago
(Rockwall/Rowlett) June 5, 2012 – Argaree Laham began her very first quilting project when she was just 13 years old.
“It was called an Oddfellows quilt because none of the fabric pieces were the same. Back then, everyone sewed their own clothes, and we didn’t have blankets—just quilts,” the 90-year-old Rockwall resident said.
Argaree asked all her friends, neighbors, and family members for pieces of fabric. “People from all over the country, really, contributed scraps for my quilt,” she remembers.
Argaree and her sister decided to make a Cathedral Window quilt in 1996.The pattern is so named because when it is held up to the light it resembles a stained glass window.
“We decided that if something happened to one of us, then the one who was left would keep all the quilt squares,” Argaree explained.
The sisters worked on the squares for their joint project at a house on Lake Tawakani. It was time-consuming work, because each square had four petal-shaped pieces which were carefully sewn together with their ends meeting in the center. Once each individual square was assembled, it had to be sewn onto four surrounding squares which were each joined by another set of four petal-shaped pieces. The work was tedious, but Argaree and her sister enjoyed working on the project together.
Unfortunately, Argaree’s sister died before everything was assembled, so Argaree inherited her squares.
In the meantime, Argaree’s vision deteriorated to the point that she could no longer see well enough to complete the quilt. She kept the squares stored in plastic containers under her bed and despaired of ever seeing her labors come to fruition until she met Anne-Marie and Mary Thacker through the National Charity League’s Weekend Warrior program.
“There are many residents in Rockwall County who receive weekday lunches through Meals on Wheels,” Mary explains. “However, some clients are unable to either shop for groceries or prepare weekend meals for themselves, so my daughter and I signed up for Weekend Warriors to help them.”
Mary and her daughter were given Argaree Laham’s name as the person to whom they would deliver meals. They were instantly charmed by the cheerful 90-year-old lady who met them at the door with hugs and a big smile. Thirteen-year-old Anne-Marie was always entertained by Argaree who taught her funny poems and songs from her childhood and enthralled her with stories of what life was like when she was young.
During one of their visits, Argaree talked about her quilt and wondered if Mary might know of someone who could help her finish it.
“Wanda Roy’s name immediately came to mind,” Mary recalls. “She is an avid quilter who goes to First Presbyterian Church with me. I called to see if she knew of anyone who might be interested in helping out.”
Late in the spring of 2011, Wanda came to meet with Argaree and brought another quilter, Anne Borror, with her. When the three ladies first saw the boxes of quilting squares, they were daunted by the task before them. Wanda confided in Mary that she didn’t think there was anyone who would be willing and able to undertake the job. Wanda and her husband, Tom, always spend the summers at their vacation home in Canada, and they headed north soon after the meeting.
When Wanda returned in the fall, she had had a change of heart and decided that she would help Argaree. “The part that was done was really beautiful, and it was a shame to not have it finished,” Wanda remarked. “And I like to do handiwork, however, I knew I needed a lot of help.”
At first she had a hard time convincing her new acquaintance to entrust her with the uncompleted project. Finally, she gained possession of the squares and enlisted Mary and Anna to help her. Mary had no experience in quilting, and Wanda and Anna had no experience in the Cathedral Window design.
Mary was content with whip-stitching the completed squares together, since it didn’t involve quilting. All the women were intimidated by Argaree’s delicate handiwork and strove to do their best. Wanda was the leader who organized the work by dropping off bags of fabric with instructions at each person’s house.
“It was like she was a schoolteacher, giving me my homework assignment. I would find a bag hooked on my door knob with pieces of the quilt in various states of assembly with instructions on what to do. I would finish my job as quickly as possible then return the bag to the door knob of her house,” Mary laughs.
Wanda later recruited another friend, Ellen Shipley, to help. Amazingly, the work progressed quickly, and by the end of May 2012, the quilt was completed with all parties involved being shocked at how fast the work had been completed. In fact, all four ladies were a bit sad to have the experience end.
“You see so many bad things in the world, and then something like this happens,” Argaree said, with tears in her eyes. “I am overwhelmed.”
Argaree is relocating to Rowlett to live with her grandson, but she will take the completed quilt with her as a reminder of those in Rockwall who came to know and love her. Wanda is making sure that she won’t forget. She is sewing a label onto the back of the quilt that says, Started in 1996—Completed in 2012 with a little help from your friends: Wanda, Mary, Anna, and Ellen.
Thanks to Mary Thacker for sharing this story.
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