Grandma Ruby Neal moved to town after she was widowed. In fact, her sons and other relatives built a new little house for her along White Pole Road in Dexter. When Grandma was 91, it was time to move to the Stuart Care Center (the next town west), where her youngest daughter, Marian, was the activities director. 1989
Grandma had three daughters. One of them asked my mother if she’d like to have this quilt, entirely hand stitched and hand quilted by Grandma. It’s faded and a little fragile, but so dear. Mom gave it to me.
1991: It was shown at the Stuart Care Center Quilt Show, Stuart, Iowa, where Grandma Ruby Neal’s quilts were being featured. 1993: Quilt Extravaganza IV, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines
Grandma Ruby made a quilt for each grandchild as they were married. Here’s mine.
Ruby Neal’s daughters also learned to quilt. Her youngest, Marian, would hand quilt for others, $100 a quilt. Marian’s youngest daughter, Jacque, was the owner of Adel Quilting and Dry Goods for several years. The photo below is when she invited us cousins and aunts–three generations of us–for a get-together at the quilt shop.
All five aunts were still living, in the front: Helen (Cook) Neal, Betty (Neal) Wells, Doris (Wilson) Neal, Nadine (Neal) Shepherd, Marian (Neal) Beaman.
The porch railing was the perfect place to display quilts during the quilt shop’s special events.
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Cousin Jacque is retired from her quilt shop but was recently asked to give a program, so she talked about Grandma’s quilt legacy. She borrowed this Grandmother’s Flower Garden and two other Grandma Ruby quilts. I realized this one had never been featured in a blog post, so here is the lovely and softly patriotic handmade treasure.
lovely quilt
Thank you, Annette!
Faded and fragile and oh-so dear…I think I’m going to pull my favorite quilt out of the closet today and give her a little love. Passed through generations…but I don’t have the beautiful story – no details about her creation. Love this post, dear Joy…love the photos! 🥰❤️🥰
Oh, I wish you had her story, but she’ll bask in your appreciation, dear Vicki!
Thanks for the nudge, dear one! 🥰
How wonderful! I love the black and white photo of all of them as children.
Thank you, Darlene. I enjoy thinking about how each fit into the family. Grandma Ruby was one of the younger ones, so was probably doted on.
Beautiful quilt and fabulous memories with photos, too!
Thank you, Linda!
Another amazing heirloom! Quilts do have such interesting stories behind them.
Thank you, Eilene.
A lovely quilt, Joy, and so much history. Thanks for sharing.
Bless you, John!
Such detailed work in that quilt! Beautiful.
Yes, thanks, GP!
What a beautiful family heirloom—with a story, of course!
Thanks, Liz!
You’re welcome, Joy!
That is a beautiful quilt, Joy, and it’s wonderful that you have it.
Thanks, Tim!
My pleasure, Joy. 😍
So beautiful!
Thank you, Linda.
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Wow-quilting has really been an enduring tradition in your family. Grandma Ruby’s Flower Garden is so pretty! Your double-ring wedding quilt is also quite beautiful. I love that design, so I had a store bought one until it wore out. Not the same!!! 🙂
You’re right, Nancy.