Meet the Board
President, Ann Walls
Ann Walls assumed the position of President in June 2016. Prior to this, she served terms as the Membership Chair and as the Programs Chair.
She has sewn since she was a young girl but did not start to quilt until her neighbor took her to the Mancuso show when it was in Williamsburg in early 2000s. She had no idea you could do all that “stuff” with fabric. She likes to try new techniques and rarely does the same pattern twice. As much as she likes quilts, she dislikes the process of actually quilting them and was very happy to learn that you could quilt “by check”. So she pays a very talented long arm quilter to quilt for her.
She worked as a secretary working her way up from Clerk-Typist to the Admiral’s Secretary in Jacksonville, Florida. She spent 13 years in night school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She ended up in this area through an intern program for Traffic Management (this involves freight not vehicles).
She met her husband, Glenn, after 19 years as a divorcee (who was never, ever going to remarry or have kids). They have one daughter who recently graduated from Virginia Tech.
In addition to the guild, she is also active with St. Michael Lutheran Church and the American Quilt Study Group.
Ann Walls assumed the position of President in June 2016. Prior to this, she served terms as the Membership Chair and as the Programs Chair.
She has sewn since she was a young girl but did not start to quilt until her neighbor took her to the Mancuso show when it was in Williamsburg in early 2000s. She had no idea you could do all that “stuff” with fabric. She likes to try new techniques and rarely does the same pattern twice. As much as she likes quilts, she dislikes the process of actually quilting them and was very happy to learn that you could quilt “by check”. So she pays a very talented long arm quilter to quilt for her.
She worked as a secretary working her way up from Clerk-Typist to the Admiral’s Secretary in Jacksonville, Florida. She spent 13 years in night school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She ended up in this area through an intern program for Traffic Management (this involves freight not vehicles).
She met her husband, Glenn, after 19 years as a divorcee (who was never, ever going to remarry or have kids). They have one daughter who recently graduated from Virginia Tech.
In addition to the guild, she is also active with St. Michael Lutheran Church and the American Quilt Study Group.
Second Vice President- Pat Carney
Pat Carney Assumed the office of Second Vice President - Programs in July 2015. This is her first board position.
Pat’s real sewing began with 7th grade home economics. Through the years, she enjoyed making clothes for herself and her daughter and curtains and duvet covers for the many houses in which she lived as a Navy wife. In the 1980s Pat became involved with making band flags for a marching band. A fellow flag-maker suggested she go to the local quilt guild (Clam Shell Quilters, Waterford, CT). Mary Ellen Hopkins presented a program and Pat was hooked. Most of her quilts have been made as gifts for others – so many baby quilts. The guilds have allowed Pat to take classes from some of the best teachers and she is inspired by what fellow guild members do. Her passion is hand applique using techniques she learned participating in guild workshops and, particularly, Spring Fling.
Pat’s professional life involved making hydrographic maps for companies in Virginia Beach and Connecticut. She and her husband have two children and two grandchildren. Her great pride is passing her on love of sewing and knitting to her granddaughter.
Pat Carney Assumed the office of Second Vice President - Programs in July 2015. This is her first board position.
Pat’s real sewing began with 7th grade home economics. Through the years, she enjoyed making clothes for herself and her daughter and curtains and duvet covers for the many houses in which she lived as a Navy wife. In the 1980s Pat became involved with making band flags for a marching band. A fellow flag-maker suggested she go to the local quilt guild (Clam Shell Quilters, Waterford, CT). Mary Ellen Hopkins presented a program and Pat was hooked. Most of her quilts have been made as gifts for others – so many baby quilts. The guilds have allowed Pat to take classes from some of the best teachers and she is inspired by what fellow guild members do. Her passion is hand applique using techniques she learned participating in guild workshops and, particularly, Spring Fling.
Pat’s professional life involved making hydrographic maps for companies in Virginia Beach and Connecticut. She and her husband have two children and two grandchildren. Her great pride is passing her on love of sewing and knitting to her granddaughter.
Executive Secretary, Lorrie Ames
I just came onto the Board in 2016. Previously I was secretary/scribe for the TQG Quilt Show 2016. I have contributed to the Linus Project by sewing binding on quilts as well as making a baby quilt. In 2015 and 2016 I was the greeter and door prize dispenser at the TQG Day chapter. I collected, sorted, packaged and helped deliver fat quarters for use as door prizes at the Spring Fling workshops in 2015 and 2016. In 2016 I also sewed 20 rotary-cutter sleeves to be used as handouts at the 2016 Spring Fling. In November 2015 I conducted a class for the Saturday TQG chapter to make an Amish folded star block.
Although I have been sewing clothing and home dec items since I was in high school, my first exposure to quilting came when I visited my Mom in the early 1990s, who was living in rural Indiana. We attended a quilting lesson where I made a cathedral windows block that I used as the face of a throw pillow (which I still have). In 2012 I moved from San Diego CA to Norfolk and have been a member of the TQG for the last 4 years. I have since accumulated a few UFOs in my sewing room and am still learning to improve my quilting skills. I may try a paper-piecing hexagon project next! I am in awe of all the talented, quilting artists in the Guild.
I have tried a wide variety of occupations from a tour of duty as a WAVE in the US Navy to working in bio-medical research at the Wistar Institute and the City of Hope. I found my niche as a Risk Manager for a medical malpractice company where I traveled the state of California teaching medical doctors and their staffs what they should do NOT to get sued. I retired in 2010 so I could find time to express my creative side.
I just came onto the Board in 2016. Previously I was secretary/scribe for the TQG Quilt Show 2016. I have contributed to the Linus Project by sewing binding on quilts as well as making a baby quilt. In 2015 and 2016 I was the greeter and door prize dispenser at the TQG Day chapter. I collected, sorted, packaged and helped deliver fat quarters for use as door prizes at the Spring Fling workshops in 2015 and 2016. In 2016 I also sewed 20 rotary-cutter sleeves to be used as handouts at the 2016 Spring Fling. In November 2015 I conducted a class for the Saturday TQG chapter to make an Amish folded star block.
Although I have been sewing clothing and home dec items since I was in high school, my first exposure to quilting came when I visited my Mom in the early 1990s, who was living in rural Indiana. We attended a quilting lesson where I made a cathedral windows block that I used as the face of a throw pillow (which I still have). In 2012 I moved from San Diego CA to Norfolk and have been a member of the TQG for the last 4 years. I have since accumulated a few UFOs in my sewing room and am still learning to improve my quilting skills. I may try a paper-piecing hexagon project next! I am in awe of all the talented, quilting artists in the Guild.
I have tried a wide variety of occupations from a tour of duty as a WAVE in the US Navy to working in bio-medical research at the Wistar Institute and the City of Hope. I found my niche as a Risk Manager for a medical malpractice company where I traveled the state of California teaching medical doctors and their staffs what they should do NOT to get sued. I retired in 2010 so I could find time to express my creative side.
Webmistress, Diana Behling
Diana assumed the position of Webmistress in June of 2015. This is her first TQG Board position.
As a young girl, Diana learned to sew on a Kenmore machine, from her mother who was an accomplished seamstress. In 1997, she switched to quilting with her first “Trip Around the World” quilt made for her daughter Amanda. To date Diana has made hundreds of quilts, many donated for charity fundraisers. She is always willing to try something new and has a diverse fabric stash. She recently acquired a Juki sit down quilting machine and is enjoying free motion quilting many projects. She loves sewing holiday quilts, wall hangings and table toppers, especially Fall and “super loves” anything Halloween! Diana is not embarrassed to admit the number of sewing machines she owns. Find her at the next Guild meeting and ask her!
In her professional life, Diana is a doctoral prepared registered nurse who works full time as the Women’s’ Health Patient Safety Lead for Sentara Healthcare, as well as serving as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Old Dominion University. She is happily married to her husband Chris and together they have 5 children ranging from late teens to mid-twenties. In addition to the TQG Board, she serves on the Board of Champions for Children-Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads. She is an adult member and volunteer for Girls Scouts of the Colonial Coast. She is a Philly girl at heart and a rabid “Philadelphia Eagles” fan (she has season tickets!) She loves to travel and is always ready for a new adventure!
Diana assumed the position of Webmistress in June of 2015. This is her first TQG Board position.
As a young girl, Diana learned to sew on a Kenmore machine, from her mother who was an accomplished seamstress. In 1997, she switched to quilting with her first “Trip Around the World” quilt made for her daughter Amanda. To date Diana has made hundreds of quilts, many donated for charity fundraisers. She is always willing to try something new and has a diverse fabric stash. She recently acquired a Juki sit down quilting machine and is enjoying free motion quilting many projects. She loves sewing holiday quilts, wall hangings and table toppers, especially Fall and “super loves” anything Halloween! Diana is not embarrassed to admit the number of sewing machines she owns. Find her at the next Guild meeting and ask her!
In her professional life, Diana is a doctoral prepared registered nurse who works full time as the Women’s’ Health Patient Safety Lead for Sentara Healthcare, as well as serving as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Old Dominion University. She is happily married to her husband Chris and together they have 5 children ranging from late teens to mid-twenties. In addition to the TQG Board, she serves on the Board of Champions for Children-Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads. She is an adult member and volunteer for Girls Scouts of the Colonial Coast. She is a Philly girl at heart and a rabid “Philadelphia Eagles” fan (she has season tickets!) She loves to travel and is always ready for a new adventure!
Debby Coleman - 1st Vice President
Debby assumed the position of 1st Vice-president in June 2015. this is her first TQG Board Position, although she was the Vice-Chair of the 2016 TQG Quilt Show Committee.
None of Debby’s family sews and so she is entirely self taught. She made her first quilt, a hand pieced sampler quilt using the Lynne Edwards Essential Sampler Quilt book in 2010. Debby has made a variety of quilts, usually as gifts and her list of pending projects is extremely long and added to on a daily basis. She particularly loves hand piecing and is about to begin a quilt using some 17,240 x 1" hexies !
Debby is from England and is currently here with her husband who serves with the UK Royal Air Force attached to NATO. She retired from her job as a Child Protection Lawyer in 2009 to accompany her husband who had been assigned to a job at the opposite end of the Uk. Shortly afterwards they, and their 2 dogs, were assigned to Germany before moving to Virginia Beach in September 2014. She loves English cricket and rugby as well as F1 motor racing.
Debby assumed the position of 1st Vice-president in June 2015. this is her first TQG Board Position, although she was the Vice-Chair of the 2016 TQG Quilt Show Committee.
None of Debby’s family sews and so she is entirely self taught. She made her first quilt, a hand pieced sampler quilt using the Lynne Edwards Essential Sampler Quilt book in 2010. Debby has made a variety of quilts, usually as gifts and her list of pending projects is extremely long and added to on a daily basis. She particularly loves hand piecing and is about to begin a quilt using some 17,240 x 1" hexies !
Debby is from England and is currently here with her husband who serves with the UK Royal Air Force attached to NATO. She retired from her job as a Child Protection Lawyer in 2009 to accompany her husband who had been assigned to a job at the opposite end of the Uk. Shortly afterwards they, and their 2 dogs, were assigned to Germany before moving to Virginia Beach in September 2014. She loves English cricket and rugby as well as F1 motor racing.
Tammy Halstead- Night Chapter Coordinator
Tammy assumed her position as Night Chapter Coordinator in August 2016. Prior to that she served as Night Chapter Program Coordinator - August 2013-July 2015 and Night Chapter Librarian - August 2010-July 2012.
Tammy's Grandmother taught her to sew around the age of 8, she enjoyed making clothes for her dolls. As a teenager she made a lot of her own clothes, then in the 90's made clothes for her children when they were younger. In 2000, she started collecting fabrics for quilting, with no particular project in mind. Her first quilt was a "Yellow Brick Road" baby quilt for her niece's baby shower in July of 2005. The quilting was minimal and she is embarrassed to ask her niece if the quilt is still intact. Since gifting this first quilt, she has made quilts for retiring co-workers, wedding quilts, baby quilts and many others to give away. Her husband often asks when she will make one for their own bed.
In order to finance her fabric addiction, Tammy works as a Structural Engineer for Norfolk Public Works. She and her husband, Bruce, have two adult children who no longer want to go to Disney World on vacation, but want to join them on tours of breweries and wineries.
Tammy assumed her position as Night Chapter Coordinator in August 2016. Prior to that she served as Night Chapter Program Coordinator - August 2013-July 2015 and Night Chapter Librarian - August 2010-July 2012.
Tammy's Grandmother taught her to sew around the age of 8, she enjoyed making clothes for her dolls. As a teenager she made a lot of her own clothes, then in the 90's made clothes for her children when they were younger. In 2000, she started collecting fabrics for quilting, with no particular project in mind. Her first quilt was a "Yellow Brick Road" baby quilt for her niece's baby shower in July of 2005. The quilting was minimal and she is embarrassed to ask her niece if the quilt is still intact. Since gifting this first quilt, she has made quilts for retiring co-workers, wedding quilts, baby quilts and many others to give away. Her husband often asks when she will make one for their own bed.
In order to finance her fabric addiction, Tammy works as a Structural Engineer for Norfolk Public Works. She and her husband, Bruce, have two adult children who no longer want to go to Disney World on vacation, but want to join them on tours of breweries and wineries.
Norene Skiles- Newsletter Editor
Norene Skiles became the Newsletter Editor for TQG, July 2017. This is her first elected position, but has served the board in the past has Head Librarian, Web-mistress (before it was an elected position), and several Night Chapter appointed positions over the past 15 plus years as a TQG member.
She began sewing at age 9, making doll clothes for her Barbie. Over the years she sewed clothing for herself and her two daughters, as well as home items as she moved around following her husband’s Naval career. Norene worked as a public school teacher and then Library Media Specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools. She is currently retired and reports that she quilts everyday. She has two daughters (both quilters) and 4 grandchildren. Her only granddaughter has shown an interest in sewing , and Norene enjoys spending time teaching her those skills.
She began quilting with the birth her first grandchild about 20 years ago and has not stopped. Over the years she has made many baby quilts for co-workers and family. Since retiring, she has began working on larger quilts. The creative aspect of design is her favorite part of quilting. Some of her quilts involve creating her own fabrics, and most of her quilts are self– drafted, pieced and quilted. Machine quilting and piecing are her primary means of creating quilts.
Norene Skiles became the Newsletter Editor for TQG, July 2017. This is her first elected position, but has served the board in the past has Head Librarian, Web-mistress (before it was an elected position), and several Night Chapter appointed positions over the past 15 plus years as a TQG member.
She began sewing at age 9, making doll clothes for her Barbie. Over the years she sewed clothing for herself and her two daughters, as well as home items as she moved around following her husband’s Naval career. Norene worked as a public school teacher and then Library Media Specialist with Virginia Beach Public Schools. She is currently retired and reports that she quilts everyday. She has two daughters (both quilters) and 4 grandchildren. Her only granddaughter has shown an interest in sewing , and Norene enjoys spending time teaching her those skills.
She began quilting with the birth her first grandchild about 20 years ago and has not stopped. Over the years she has made many baby quilts for co-workers and family. Since retiring, she has began working on larger quilts. The creative aspect of design is her favorite part of quilting. Some of her quilts involve creating her own fabrics, and most of her quilts are self– drafted, pieced and quilted. Machine quilting and piecing are her primary means of creating quilts.
Linda Kelly- Executive Membership Chair
Linda joined the Board in 2016 by assuming a part of the term of the previous Executive Membership Chair. In 2017, Linda was elected for a two-year term. She has served the Guild previously as Post Office Chair.
Linda is married to Steve Kelley and has a son, Wayne. She has been quilting since before Wayne was born; he is now 33 years old. She prefers machine over hand work and quilts “by check.”
She has been in the legal field since 1972 and currently works with her boss of 16 years, a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She plans to retire in October 2019 and hopes to have more time for quilting.
She loves everything to do with the beach and the ocean, including shelling and looking for sea glass.
Linda joined the Board in 2016 by assuming a part of the term of the previous Executive Membership Chair. In 2017, Linda was elected for a two-year term. She has served the Guild previously as Post Office Chair.
Linda is married to Steve Kelley and has a son, Wayne. She has been quilting since before Wayne was born; he is now 33 years old. She prefers machine over hand work and quilts “by check.”
She has been in the legal field since 1972 and currently works with her boss of 16 years, a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She plans to retire in October 2019 and hopes to have more time for quilting.
She loves everything to do with the beach and the ocean, including shelling and looking for sea glass.