Monday, November 16th, A quilter's last will and testament

Last Wednesday, my co-worker's boyfriend's mom passed away. Basically I could say she was her mother in law, because she cared for her the past 6 months of her life as she died from cancer. Betty was a quilter and even though I only met her once, Deb told her that I was a quilter. Betty's wish was that I get her stash and anything else that I wanted, except for the machine. Deb called me on Thursday to offer me this gift and we set up a time when I could come and take stuff. I was so overwhelmed!!! Well, the next day, Deb very sheepishly called me back to say that Betty's daughter in law from New Mexico wanted the fabric. But Deb and Stuart still wanted me to come and take some pieces that I wanted because the amount of stuff is so huge.
Chuck and I went yesterday after our meeting and I did get quite a bit. It was hard because they are still mourning and they watched me the whole time. As I looked at things and pulled things out, I caught glimpses of Betty, in her writing, some stray blocks and a set of pillow covers. I showed them to Stuart the entire time and when I was finished, there were some things he kept for himself.

I came home with a big bag of fabric, with quite a few batiks, a design wall and about $400.00 in books, one of which is the Gee's Bend coffee table book. I am loving the books, but I am not incorporating the fabric into my stash until after the daughter in law finishes because one of the pieces that I have may be the very one that she remembers!!
Here are two of Betty's quilts with Deb and Stuart:
This all reminds me of something that was given to me a few years ago:

THE QUILTERS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Being of sound mind (a statement which does not bear close examination), I_______ do hereby record my last will and testament. Knowing that_____, my______(husband, sister, child or friend) hasn't the least appreciation for, or for that matter, knowledge of my extensive fabric collection which collection is suitably deposited in sundry pales for safekeeping. Knowing also that________has already notified the local dumpster to pick up and dispose of the fore-mentioned collection "willy-nilly" (the thought of which causes me a most severe case of hives). Therefore, I do will this collection and all other collections related to it, to my dear friend and fellow fabric preservationist, __________. I is my wish that she/he, upon hearing of my death and obtaining clear proof that I did not manage, although goodness knows I tried to take it with me, would come to my home post haste, before the dumpster, and search out my collection which is similarly stored at their own abode. That she should rescue said collection and stack it in my quilting studio, along with my sewing machines, frames old buttons, lace patterns, quilts, dolls and works in progress. After she/he has done this, she/he should purchase refreshments for my friends not yet departed, which friends are also her/his friends, and every last one shall be in that room and they shall hold a wake and say lovely and kind things about me until they run out and then they shall divide amongst themselves, by lot, my wonderful collection. I shall be hovering over that very spot until this is done. ______ shall then quit this spot and close the door, leaving trivialities to those who do not understand.

This is my wish in the matter.
Signed:__________Date:_______
Notarized________Date:______
(this is not a legal document)

Just so you know, the order of my fabric and quilts goes like this:
1. the girls and Chuck
2. my sister
3. Celia
4. my quilt group