FARMINGTON — A crazy idea has become a lasting tribute to honor and remember Emily Doak Hartung, a well-known community member and businesswoman who succumbed to cancer in September 2022.

On Thursday evening, Nov. 2, at Farmington Public Library Emily’s family and friends gathered for the unveiling of a quilt – crafted in her honor – that will soon hang outside the children’s room at the library.

A picture of Emily and a vase of flowers were placed on either side of a plaque with the words, “Emily Doak Hartung was a shining light in our community. An artist, a teacher, a hand quilter, a successful businesswoman … and most of all our dear friend.”

“Emily loved children, she read here all the time,” friend Charlotte “Charlie” Woodcock said prior to the unveiling. A list of her favorite children’s books was provided by the family, some became themes for the quilt squares, she noted.

“This is a special night for all of us,” Woodcock announced later. “I have wonderful friends, they took my crazy idea and made it happen. I am sure every one in this room has met someone who has made a difference in their lives. That was Emily for me.”

The two had children who were close in age. Woodcock spoke of Hob Nob, a group of teachers who got together every Friday afternoon at the Homestead to have a glass of wine and socialize.

“I crashed the group, asked Emily to join,” Woodcock said. “She became part of it.”

Hartung was the Doak in Devany, Doak and Garrett Booksellers in Farmington. She and two friends opened the Calico Patch, a gift and consignment shop in 1982. After they moved on Hartung kept the business until she retired in 2019.

“That was a big loss for the community,” Woodcock noted. “She was so ready [for retirement]. She talked me into playing pickle ball. She talked me into going for walks in the woods.”

Emily was so energetic, always smiling, always positive, Woodcock said.

“Then COVID-19 hit and we couldn’t get together,” she stated. “It was a hard time. We missed our social events. I brainstormed and we met on FaceTime, became the Friday Wine Group. We met about 4 p.m. Eight of us are still in the group.”

Emily was diagnosed with cancer during that time, Woodcock said. She faced that with so much courage, she noted.

“We became her support group,” Woodcock stated. “We took care of each other.”

Emily had asked that donations in her memory be made to the library which she loved, Woodcock noted.

“Some of these ladies are talented quilters,” she said. “My dear friends worked with me on this. It took a year. Everyone made a square.”

When asked, Emily’s family donated a huge tub of her brightly colored quilting fabric for the project.

Woodcock was very emotional when it was opened. In the bottom were numerous squares Emily had done, perhaps for baby quilts. It was decided to incorporate the squares – called UFOs or unfinished objects – on the back of the quilt being worked on.

The front features scenes from 10 of Emily’s favorite children’s books. Two additional squares on each end of the seven foot long quilt include titles of other favorites.

Terri Neil has operated Quilting Rubies in Farmington for four years.

“She has a quilting machine, she made it become a quilt,” Woodcock said. “This will be a treasure I hope our library has for a long time.”

Two Friday Wine Group members have moved from Farmington: Therese Hersey to Saco and Susan Eastler to Camden. Those still in town besides Woodcock are Anita Hedstrom, Anne Wehrman, Sharon Cullenberg, Anna Ellrich and Kathy Pierce.

“My mom would take lupine seeds and spread them on the roadsides,” daughter Lisa Hartung, who lives in Cary, North Carolina, said while explaining some of the quilt squares. “When I was in the third grade mom painted a mural on the wall of Mallett [School].

“Mom said we would one day visit Monet’s Garden, we had the trip booked and then COVID-19 happened,” Lisa stated. “Charlie and I are going to go this spring to spread her ashes. It’s special for Charlie to go.”

Lisa’s daughter Maeve Watkins, 25 months, was born on the same day Emily was diagnosed with cancer. Emily died early on a Monday, the day before Maeve turned one.

Lisa believes her mom knew what was to come as she insisted on holding Maeve’s birthday party Friday night. “She was able to see Maeve blow out her candles,” Lisa said.

“What a labor of love,” Lisa noted. “We are so blessed mom had such wonderful friends. They kept her alive during COVID-19. These women were her shining stars throughout.”

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