Published: November 14, 2005 09:11 am      

Special quilt a reminder of family's love

Palestine — Family is important to Palestine resident Esther Wilsey — so much so that her daughter presented a “family quilt” to her and her late husband at a 60th anniversary celebration nine years ago.

That quilt — adorned with a personalized square from each branch of the family tree — is now a permanent fixture on the wall beside Wilsey’s bed and serves as a wonderful reminder of the family she loves.

“My daughter who lives in Frankston sent each household in the family a square and a pen to personalize for the quilt,” Wilsey said in an interview last week. “They sent it back to her and she completed the project.”

The 86 year-old great-great-grandmother vividly recalls the circumstances surrounding the presentation of the quilt.

“Each of the children made a special presentation — singing, playing guitar or speaking,” Wilsey said. “The quilt had been hung on a wall and covered with a sheet.

“It was such a big surprise,” she added. “The party really was very lovely.”

Born in Pennsylvania, Wilsey and her seven siblings grew up on a farm during the Depression.

“We never really knew what a depression was until we got married and left home,” she recalled. “My father was a good provider — we always had plenty to eat.”

Wilsey married her husband, Russell, on Oct. 2, 1936. He spent most of his working life as an auto mechanic teacher at a trade school in El Paso.

“When we first married though, he managed an ice cream store,” she recalled. “Times got hard there and he had to leave his job, so an aunt of mine took us in for a little while.”

The Wilseys lived in El Paso for 45 years before moving to Midlothian, where they lived for 13 years. In addition to raising four children, Wilsey also worked 20 years as a manager in the Esleta High School cafeteria.

“I had 21 girls working for me,” she said.

Russell Wilsey passed away two years ago after a lengthy illness and Esther came to live at Palestine’s Cartmell Home for Aged about a year ago for health reasons.

“I do miss my Sunday school class in Midlothian,” she said. “But I have made several friends here and my daughter visits me often.

“Except for living in a house, I would say this is the greatest place to be.”

Esther Wilsey is the mother of four children — Neal, Chris, Linda, and Russell, who is now deceased — and also has 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

“When I look at the quilt it makes me very thankful,” Wilsey said. “I am so thankful for my family — they are so good to me.

“I love them all very much.”

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com