Quilts of Care for Tyendinaga

In a beautiful expression of compassion, craftsmanship, and community connection, members of the Friendship Quilters and the Quinte Quilters’ Guild have come together to create something truly meaningful—quilts made with care, purpose, and heart.

This dedicated group recently donated nine handmade quilts to Tyendinaga Home and Community Care. These quilts will find their home at Tsi Thonwatíhsnye’s Long Term Care facility—the Mohawk Bay of Quinte Elder Care Home—located on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and scheduled to open this spring. Spearheaded by Marilyn Brant, the initiative brought quilters together in collaborative teams, each contributing their time and talent to create pieces that are as unique as they are comforting.

Every quilt tells a story. While no two are the same, each one carries a shared intention: to provide warmth, dignity, and a tangible reminder that someone cares. These quilts will serve residents of the new facility, offering both physical comfort and emotional reassurance.

In addition to these gifts, the group has also created “dignity quilts” for long-term care homes. These quilts hold a special and sensitive purpose—they remain with the facility and are used when a resident passes away, offering a final gesture of respect and care when a funeral home is called. It is a quiet but powerful way of honouring life and community.

Within the Quinte Quilters’ Guild, the Friendship Quilters have become especially known for their outreach work. Their creations—quilts, placemats, walker bags, and Alzheimer’s quilts—are distributed to individuals and organizations across Belleville and Centre Hastings. In 2025 alone, they donated an incredible 198 quilts throughout the region, responding to an ongoing need for comfort items that support people during illness, transition, and times of vulnerability.

About the Quinte Quilters’ Guild

Founded in 1989 by Ruth Brown in response to a growing interest in quilting in Belleville and the surrounding area, the Quinte Quilters’ Guild has grown into a vibrant and diverse community of over 100 members. The Guild includes both award-winning quilters and those just beginning their journey, creating an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and rich in shared knowledge.

Through workshops, trunk shows, and lectures led by a variety of instructors and speakers, the Guild continually inspires its members to explore new techniques and deepen their creative practice. At the same time, it remains deeply committed to community engagement—supporting local initiatives through donations, fundraising efforts, and quilt shows that celebrate the artistry and dedication of its members.

The work of the Friendship Quilters and the broader Guild is a powerful reminder that creativity can be a force for care, connection, and community impact—one stitch at a time. 

quintequiltersguild.ca

Submitted photo depicts quilters Marilyn Babbs, Lena Dearborn, Darlyne Pennycook, Larie Grills, and Ruth. Absent quilter from photo: Jean Hopkins

Article published April 9th in the Belleville Intelligencer