Known as an expert seamstress at Peabody Place in Franklin, Shirley Mento continues to leave her mark on the residents, including those who came after she moved out.

Before leaving the assisted living home last year, Mento decided to gift her sewing materials and equipment to a sewing program for residents started during her time there. Within the materials left behind were scraps from an unfinished quilting project.

Soon after, Roberta Burke moved in and took it upon herself to craft a quilt for Mento out of the forgotten pieces.

In late May, Mento was invited back to a surprise tea party where she received the quilt and met the new resident quilter.

All the residents and the staff members at the welcome desk came out to greet Mento. She gave each person a tight hug and offered a kiss on the hand to the staff.

When she caught sight of the table with the teapot and heard what was planned, Mento paused.

“I’m going to cry,” she said.

Instantly surprised at the inside labeled “Blocks Made By Shirley Mento” written out by Burke, Mento started to repeatedly thank her.

The two sat down and got to know each other better.

“I found it difficult to put the blocks together. You never know until you’re finished what you’re going to do with it,” Burke said to Mento.

They quickly started bonding over the quilting process.

“I thought of her all the time. What would she have done? Would she have had a border?” Burke said.

Mento promised Burke that she would use her new quilt often.

“We know that’s what they’re meant to be,” Burke said, nodding her head.

Mento has been a crafter all her life. At her store, Covered Bridge Yarn & Craft in Contoocook, she originally discovered her love for quilting. No matter where she goes, she keeps access to a sewing machine.

“It’s part of you. I may not use it every day or I may not even have something going on it, but it’s part of me,” she said.

In addition to running a craft store located next to the Historical Contoocook Railroad Covered Bridge, Mento served on the board for the Belknap Mill Quilter’s Guild, which represents the Lakes Region, for many years. Occasionally, she still attends guild events.

With more quilts than she can count, Mento values the friendships that come with crafting.

“I think it makes us happier people,” she said.

Burke agreed. She remembers meeting some of the nicest people through the shared love of crafts.

“There’s just something about it that you make friends and there may be people you’ve never met before and you’re friends for life,” Mento said.

 

Kiera McLaughlin can be reached at kmclaughlin@cmonitor.com