Meet the Board
President - Debby Coleman
Debby assumed the position of President in July 2018. She has previously held the position of 1st Vice-president from June 2015. 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 President in July 2018. She has previously held the position of 1st Vice-president from June 2015. 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.
First Vice President - Pat Carney
Pat Carney Assumed the office of First Vice President in July 2018. She has held the Second Vice President position, as well as coordinating programs and many volunteer positions in the Guild.
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 First Vice President in July 2018. She has held the Second Vice President position, as well as coordinating programs and many volunteer positions in the Guild.
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.
Second Vice President - Linda Reynolds
Linda assumed the office of 2nd Vice President in July 2018. She had been the post mistress for the previous 3 TQG Presidents and had participated in many workshops, spring flings and fall festivals.
Linda began her sewing journey in grade school, following in her mother's & grandmother's steps in becoming a seamstress. Over years of making clothes for her 5 children, and even her husband, she began delving into the world of quilt making. Her first quilt, begun in 1973, was done completely by hand and finished in only 25 yrs! Although she still loves hand work (especially needle turn appliqué) she has found that machine piecing and longarm quilting are so much faster and has produced many quilts, most of them as gifts. She loves that several of her children and grandchildren are pursuing quilting also.
Linda spent her early professional life as a registered nurse, then 17 years as library tech for Virginia Beach Public Library before retiring in 2005.
Linda assumed the office of 2nd Vice President in July 2018. She had been the post mistress for the previous 3 TQG Presidents and had participated in many workshops, spring flings and fall festivals.
Linda began her sewing journey in grade school, following in her mother's & grandmother's steps in becoming a seamstress. Over years of making clothes for her 5 children, and even her husband, she began delving into the world of quilt making. Her first quilt, begun in 1973, was done completely by hand and finished in only 25 yrs! Although she still loves hand work (especially needle turn appliqué) she has found that machine piecing and longarm quilting are so much faster and has produced many quilts, most of them as gifts. She loves that several of her children and grandchildren are pursuing quilting also.
Linda spent her early professional life as a registered nurse, then 17 years as library tech for Virginia Beach Public Library before retiring in 2005.
Treasurer - Lenore Mastroinanni
This is Lenore's first position on the Executive Board as Chapter Treasurer. She was Day Chapter treasurer about 10 years ago and held that position for 2 years.
She began quilting about 20 years ago when a good friend asked her to take a hand quilting class with her so she could put her applique blocks together and make a quilt. She left the class on the 3rd week and Lenore is still quilting! Her friend knew she would enjoy this new hobby since she had done almost every other type needle work in the past.
Married with 2 children and 4 granddaughters. All the jobs she has ever held dealt with numbers other than a short time as a piano teacher. Now she simply enjoy going to bees, quilt shows, travel to visit the children and hand applique, piece and quilt as often as she has time.
This is Lenore's first position on the Executive Board as Chapter Treasurer. She was Day Chapter treasurer about 10 years ago and held that position for 2 years.
She began quilting about 20 years ago when a good friend asked her to take a hand quilting class with her so she could put her applique blocks together and make a quilt. She left the class on the 3rd week and Lenore is still quilting! Her friend knew she would enjoy this new hobby since she had done almost every other type needle work in the past.
Married with 2 children and 4 granddaughters. All the jobs she has ever held dealt with numbers other than a short time as a piano teacher. Now she simply enjoy going to bees, quilt shows, travel to visit the children and hand applique, piece and quilt as often as she has time.
Executive Secretary - Paula Harr
Paula’s first exposure to the art of quilting happened when she was a small child playing underneath her grandmother’s quilt frame while she quilted. This is also the origin of her love of traditional quilt making, especially scrap quilts.
She has been quilting since the 1980’s. In her hometown of Fairmont, W.Va. she owned Uncle Bertie’s Quilt Shop until 1996 when she moved to Virginia Beach.
In June 2014, she retired from a 47-year nursing career and was able to devote her time to Patchwork by Paula, which specializes in T-Shirt and Memory Quilts. She was commissioned by the Neptune Festival to make a raffle quilt for the 2014 Neptune Festival.
Paula’s first exposure to the art of quilting happened when she was a small child playing underneath her grandmother’s quilt frame while she quilted. This is also the origin of her love of traditional quilt making, especially scrap quilts.
She has been quilting since the 1980’s. In her hometown of Fairmont, W.Va. she owned Uncle Bertie’s Quilt Shop until 1996 when she moved to Virginia Beach.
In June 2014, she retired from a 47-year nursing career and was able to devote her time to Patchwork by Paula, which specializes in T-Shirt and Memory Quilts. She was commissioned by the Neptune Festival to make a raffle quilt for the 2014 Neptune Festival.
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 over 30 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 over 30 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.
Norene Skiles - Newsletter Editor
Norene 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 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.
Day Chapter Coordinators - Lola McCracken and Alexis Gardner
Lola McCracken is Co-Coordinator for Day Chapter. Previously, Lola was Editor of the TQG Newsletter for 5 years. She has also served as Publicity Co-Chair for two TQG Quilt Shows and Raffle Quilt Chair for the 2018 show. In addition to eight years’ membership in TQG, she is a member of the Marietta Mothers’ Day Quilters (Marietta, Georgia). The MMDQ members (eight) have been meeting for 30 years EVERY Mother’s Day weekend to quilt although only five ladies still live in Georgia. She has participated in numerous TQG classes, and has improved her quilting skills since moving to Virginia Beach eight years ago. Lola has also acquired many new skills from her very talented Wednesday Bee members. After retiring 10 years ago from university teaching (including Georgia Tech in Atlanta), Lola has made more quilts in Virginia than in the entire 30 years of quilting. Most are given away. Lola is a published author, and her articles have appeared in American Quilter, Quilt Life and numerous travel magazines. She and her husband, Stuart Gordon, enjoy traveling to places where they have incredible adventures (cattle drives, hot air ballooning, African safaris, snow mobiling, skiing, snow shoeing, horseback trekking, etc.). Together, Stuart and Lola have 4 children and 3 grandchildren, all of whom (except one grandson) live in the local area. 
Alexis Gardner is a life long resident of Portsmouth has been a quilter for 20 plus years, trying to keep children, grandchildren and extended family in quilts. In recent years she has added quilted postcards and art quilts to her efforts.
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Night Chapter Coordinator - Baseemah Cumberbatch-Smith
Baseemah was born and raised in Barbados. She is married (she and her sweetheart have been together for 23 years) and has one teenage daughter. Baseemah is a licensed speech therapist and a teacher, currently working with Norfolk Public Schools. She has been quilting for approximately 20 years and first joined the TQG in 2003. Baseemah has served as the Night Chapter Program chairperson. Her first quilt (still an UFO) was done entirely by hand (around 1998) as she was introduced to machine quilting in 2002 at a What’s Your Stitch and Stuff class. She enjoys traveling and volunteering with various organizations. 
Saturday Chapter Coordinator - Christie Prenger
A member of this Guild since 2015, this is Christie's first executive board position. She started as the Saturday Chapter Librarian as well as volunteering for several committees, including TQG quilt show and Spring Fling. She has quilted a few of the many raffle quilts for the Guild. Her goal is to continue to make the Saturday Chapter a fun place to learn and socialize each month with fun programs. A self-taught quilter, she has been quilting since July 2007. She loves to learn and enjoy taking the simplest patterns to the next level using a variety of techniques, including precision piecing, paper piecing, and some hand piecing. She is currently working on a Dear Jane quilt that is stretching all of her skills to complete. In addition to piecing, she also long-arms her own quilts, having won a first place ribbon for her own quilt in our show, as well as a client’s quilt earning a 1st place ribbon in the same show. She has written several block patterns for the Guild and even have a full size 3D Maze pattern available for sale on Etsy. Christie and her husband of 22 years, were Aviation Electronics Technicians in the Navy. She served for 5 years, while he retired after 22 years. Then she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. OF the many jobs she has had the most important one is that of a stay at home Mom to two boys and a pet bird. |
Webmistress - Darlene Price
While fairly new to quilting, Darlene has been around a needle and thread and a sewing machine all of her life. After she retired from life as a Commercial Real Estate Paralegal her goal was to figure out quilting. In 2013, armed with a needle, thread and cardboard templates she embarked on her first quilt. When she got to the binding, she couldn’t figure out how to do that by hand so she bought a machine. Darlene hasn't looked back and is the happiest she has even been.
While fairly new to quilting, Darlene has been around a needle and thread and a sewing machine all of her life. After she retired from life as a Commercial Real Estate Paralegal her goal was to figure out quilting. In 2013, armed with a needle, thread and cardboard templates she embarked on her first quilt. When she got to the binding, she couldn’t figure out how to do that by hand so she bought a machine. Darlene hasn't looked back and is the happiest she has even been.