We recently received the following as an email from Ken Sandbach, Kathy Sandbach’s son. Kathy has long been an active and vibrant member of the quilting community, including writing books on machine quilting for C&T. Many of you have probably taken a class or two from her.
Hello, this is Ken Sandbach, Kathy’s son. As some of you know by now my mom has been diagnosed with a nasty type of dementia, called Frontal Temporal Dementia. If you were around her the last few years at all, you may have noticed some behavior changes—slight at first, and then progressing to downright bizarre. It took the kids some time (unfortunately), but this last December we finally got the diagnosis, and began putting all the pieces together. Her symptoms these days are too numerous for this email, but if you’re curious Google Frontal Temporal Dementia or go to www.mayoclinic.com and search there.
The reason for writing is to let you know after a long conversation with my sister we have decided to begin selling my mom’s quilting legacy. We are down to about 6 month’s money left for Kathy’s care, and have found that Social Security and Medicare just don’t cut it. Assisted living care is running 7k/month, not including her insurance and mortgage payments (her Oregon house in on the market, but no one is buying these days).
As a test experiment we have put 3 of her quilts on eBay to test reception (check them out soon, they won’t be there too long). If this eBay auction proves to be worthwhile, there are more quilts that will make their way to you—her fans. While this is a tough time, and even tougher decision to make, we’re hoping that the people who love them most will be willing to adopt them.
Please, PLEASE, forward this information to your address books/quilt lovers, and ask they do the same. Kathy has traveled all over the United States and UK teaching, so I am hoping this information will make its way around the entire quilting universe!
If you have any questions feel free to email me at ken.sandbach@beamglobal.com or my sister at kristine.sandbach@wachovia.com. Also there is a guestbook at mom’s old website www.machinequiltlady.com. Please go there and sign the guestbook. It would mean a lot to grasp just how many people Kathy has touched through quilting.
Sincerely,
Ken Sandbach
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11 Comments
I was so sad to hear this about Kathy – such a great teacher.
How awfully, terribly tragic.
Our Prayers are with you!
My sis and I are floored by the outpouring. Kathy has great friends.
I too had heard the sad news, but I appreciate you posting this on your blog. Kathy has given many gifts to the quilting world. So sad that this has happened to her and her family.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
That is truly sad news, I have one of her books. I sent her an email a couple of years ago, she was so prompt and friendly in her response to my question.
Her quilts should be treasured by her family and dearest friends. It's so sad that they have to go to such measures to sell what kathy cherished and brought great hearts thru her quilts to all of us. maybe the buyers will donate to cause and let the family keep those precious quilts that no doubtly tells stories of her life.
I’m so sorry to hear about Kathy. I took my first free motion quilting class from her in Lafayette and got the quilting “bug”. I even had her quilt 3 of my quilts. I treasure them. My best wishes for her and your family.
I echo my brother's words. We have been moved beyond belief. Thank you so much to all.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. My prayers are with you.
Thank you so much for posting this. My brother and I have been overwhelmed by the response that we’ve received since her diagnosis was made public. It has been incredible to hear how she has made an impact. Thank you so much from Kathy’s daughter.