It is with a very sad heart that I let you all know that Jean Leinhauser passed away earlier today.
I will never forget the times I spent with Jean at Chain Link conferences. I will always treasure the crochet books she personally autographed for me. I feel so fortunate to have known her.
Jean did so much through the years to support CGOA, with her most recent contribution being the redesign of our Masters Program. She is going to be sorely missed by all of us in the crochet community.
The CGOA board is discussing ways we can honor and remember Jean at our upcoming Chain Link conferences. If you have any ideas, please contact me at amyshelton AT crochetville DOT org.
Jean's business partner, Rita Weiss, has let me know of an excellent way to honor her if anyone is interested. Jean loved her dogs even more than she loved crochet, and she was very supportive of animal rescue organizations. Rita says there is no particular organization, so if you wish, please pick any animal rescue organization, especially one that works with dogs, to make a donation of time, money, or crocheted items in Jean's name and memory.
If you have any thoughts or memories to share about Jean, please feel free to post a response in her memory.
Amy Shelton
CGOA President
The Official Blog of the Crochet Guild of America
I never had the pleasure to meet Jean, but I own several of her books, and have admired her work for years.
ReplyDeleteShe will be missed by many. What a great and talented lady.
What a great "old broad." Jean has left us a great legacy. My life is changed for having known Jean and been inspired by both Jean and Rita.
ReplyDeleteI was so honored when Jean asked me to be one of her testers for the new Masters program. We had fun emailing back and forth for a few months working on the stitches and combinations she included.
ReplyDeleteThe humor is what I remember most...since meeting her and Rita at my first CGOA conference in Oakland. I will miss her so much.
Jean will be missed. I never met Jean but I have books that Jean and Rita designed. I have been crocheting since 1992 and love it.
ReplyDeleteI will miss Jean both personally and professionally. I introduced myself to Jean & Rita at a Chain Link about 4 years ago. Since then we've chatted at conferences & occasional emails. I've also had the privilege of doing contract crocheting for Creative Partners, and being asked to review Masters portfolios. A few years ago I bought a stack of books and asked Jean & Rita to autograph them, including a page with an afghan I had made for CP. These are treasures!
ReplyDeleteWe will miss Jean's knowledge & wisdom, friendship and humor.
Jane Rimmer
CGOA Treasurer