“As I recall, it all [Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild] started with about seven or so ladies sitting around a kitchen table. They first met at Wesley United Methodist Church, and as the guild grew and a new president took over, meetings were held at various churches and venues until we settled on our current meeting space. When I joined the guild (2004), Mary was a regular at the hand-sewing table during the Community Quilts group meetings. Mary was awarded our guild’s Golden Thimble Award in 2005.
Mary recalled many guild bus trips to Paducah (to the National Quilt Museum and annual quilt show) and the guild ladies setting up quilting a frame at Silver Dollar City and inviting people to sit and stitch a bit. Mary was always cheerful and full of stories; we miss her sass, wit and wisdom. We recognized Mary at a meeting in August 2015 around the time of her 90th birthday, and I interviewed her about guild history and read her a little poem I had written in her honor (poem below).” —Karen Stanley, Community Quilts Chairperson and long-time OPQG member
Mary, Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With smiles and talk,
And blocks all in a row.
Your garden is a place where
Piecers connect and appliquers bloom
Where artists and strippers,
EQers zoom
Where modern meets traditional
And common ground found
Where Berninas and Pfaffs
And Featherweights abound
Mary, Mary quite contrary
Look what you have sewn
A fellowship of quilters
Just look how we have grown!
Mary’s obituary from Greenlawn Funeral Home is below.
Mary Ellen Marlin, age 97, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Monday, December 19, 2022, at home surrounded by her family. Mary was born August 13, 1925, to Homer and Jewel Williams. She was a 1943 graduate of Springfield Senior High School. She was united in marriage to Lowell P. Marlin on June 23, 1956. She was a loving and nurturing mother to her family and those around her. Her loving, caring personality built numerous close relationships and touched many lives. Mary had been a member of Wesley United Methodist Church since 1970. She established and coordinated a church visitation program for 30 years. She was also proud of the nine Bible studies she accomplished and completed, including the Trinity Award. She was also the only remaining charter member of the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild, founded in 1981. Mary loved quilting and attended quilt shows in multiple states.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Lowell and son Larry. Her parents are Homer and Jewel Williams. Two brothers, Edwin and Clyde Williams and two sisters, Freda Koch and Vonnie Rickman. Mary was the oldest of five siblings.
Four children survive Mary: David Marlin of Springfield, Mo., Jeff Marlin of Oakdale, Minn., Julie Marlin and husband Ziad of Union City, Calif., and Jennifer Marlin and husband Don of Springfield, Mo., She is also survived by daughter-in-law Carol Andrews of Waynesville, Mo,, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenlawn South Funeral Home, 441 West Battlefield, Springfield, Mo, 65807. She will have a private family-only graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.