Meet the Board
Linda Kelly - President
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 worked with a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She retired in October 2019.
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 worked with a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals. She retired in October 2019.
She loves everything to do with the beach and the ocean, including shelling and looking for sea glass.
First Vice President - Debby Coleman
Debby is the immediate Past President, having served 2 years. 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 is the immediate Past President, having served 2 years. 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.
Second Vice President – Faye Hannah
Faye assumed the position of Second Vice President in July 2020. She has been a member for over 30 years and has held numerous positions to include Night Chapter Coordinator, Membership Chair, and First Vice President, to name only a few.
She was introduced to quilting by a dear friend and early guild member and has been a member ever since. She is also a member of the Virginia state guild, Virginia Consortium of Quilters, and cherishes the quilting education and friendships she has made in both organizations. Her early quilts were very traditional, with a love for the more muted country styles and colors. But in the last ten years or so she has gravitated to a more modern style utilizing brighter colors and less small pieces.
Faye is a native Virginian and has lived in Coastal Virginia since grade school. She has no children of her own but has had many of the 4-legged kind, most recently her treasured female Yorkie Poo named Kona. She had a more than twenty year career with Xerox Corporation, then changed careers at age 40 to work for a local home remodeling company for more than 10 years. Today she is employed by a local family run boatyard from where she hopes to retire, which will give her more time to enjoy what she truly loves, the art of quilting.
Faye assumed the position of Second Vice President in July 2020. She has been a member for over 30 years and has held numerous positions to include Night Chapter Coordinator, Membership Chair, and First Vice President, to name only a few.
She was introduced to quilting by a dear friend and early guild member and has been a member ever since. She is also a member of the Virginia state guild, Virginia Consortium of Quilters, and cherishes the quilting education and friendships she has made in both organizations. Her early quilts were very traditional, with a love for the more muted country styles and colors. But in the last ten years or so she has gravitated to a more modern style utilizing brighter colors and less small pieces.
Faye is a native Virginian and has lived in Coastal Virginia since grade school. She has no children of her own but has had many of the 4-legged kind, most recently her treasured female Yorkie Poo named Kona. She had a more than twenty year career with Xerox Corporation, then changed careers at age 40 to work for a local home remodeling company for more than 10 years. Today she is employed by a local family run boatyard from where she hopes to retire, which will give her more time to enjoy what she truly loves, the art of quilting.
Executive Membership - Pat Carney
Before assuming the office of Executive Membership Chair, Pat held the the offices of First Vice President and Second Vice President, 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.
Before assuming the office of Executive Membership Chair, Pat held the the offices of First Vice President and Second Vice President, 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.
Treasurer - Lenore Mastroinanni
This is Lenore's second term 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 second term 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 - Lola McCracken has served as Co-Coordinator for Day Chapter, Editor of the TQG Newsletter, Publicity Co-Chair for TQG Quilt Shows and Raffle Quilt Chair.
In addition to membership in TQG, she is a member of the Marietta Mothers’ Day Quilters (Marietta, Georgia). The MMDQ members (eight) have been meeting for 40 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. Lola has also acquired many new skills from her very talented Wednesday Bee members. After retiring 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.
In addition to membership in TQG, she is a member of the Marietta Mothers’ Day Quilters (Marietta, Georgia). The MMDQ members (eight) have been meeting for 40 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. Lola has also acquired many new skills from her very talented Wednesday Bee members. After retiring 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.
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 Coordinator - Ann Walls
Night Chapter Coordinator - Lisa Frieman
Lisa became Night Chapter Coordinator in July 2019. She took sewing classes in Junior High and High School but it wasn’t until 1993 she was introduced to quilting. One night, while the Navy ship she was serving on was out to sea, she walked into the office to see two of her shipmates working on something. Asking what are you doing-they told her they were making name tag holders as they had both joined the Tidewater Quilters Guild. “What’s that?” Lisa attended the next meeting after they returned to Norfolk and has been hooked ever since.
From 1993-2006 she held various positions such as Librarian, Fat Quarter of the Month, and helped with Quilt Show raffle tickets. From 2006-2012 her job prevented her from being able to make meetings. In August of 2012 she came back to the guild and immediately stepped up to be Day Chapter Librarian. Since then she has also been Head Librarian and Night Chapter Secretary.
Her favorite quilting projects are done by hand, but learned as she got older-“it’s not all going to wait on me-I’m going to have to start doing things by machine if I ever want to see them come to life!” Lisa and her husband of 30 years both served as Storekeepers in the Navy, meeting in Naples, Italy. She left the Navy after 10 years and her husband retired after 20 years. Their one and only daughter lives in the Atlanta, GA area… “She doesn’t sew or quilt… not yet, but it’s in her blood!”
Lisa became Night Chapter Coordinator in July 2019. She took sewing classes in Junior High and High School but it wasn’t until 1993 she was introduced to quilting. One night, while the Navy ship she was serving on was out to sea, she walked into the office to see two of her shipmates working on something. Asking what are you doing-they told her they were making name tag holders as they had both joined the Tidewater Quilters Guild. “What’s that?” Lisa attended the next meeting after they returned to Norfolk and has been hooked ever since.
From 1993-2006 she held various positions such as Librarian, Fat Quarter of the Month, and helped with Quilt Show raffle tickets. From 2006-2012 her job prevented her from being able to make meetings. In August of 2012 she came back to the guild and immediately stepped up to be Day Chapter Librarian. Since then she has also been Head Librarian and Night Chapter Secretary.
Her favorite quilting projects are done by hand, but learned as she got older-“it’s not all going to wait on me-I’m going to have to start doing things by machine if I ever want to see them come to life!” Lisa and her husband of 30 years both served as Storekeepers in the Navy, meeting in Naples, Italy. She left the Navy after 10 years and her husband retired after 20 years. Their one and only daughter lives in the Atlanta, GA area… “She doesn’t sew or quilt… not yet, but it’s in her blood!”
Saturday Chapter Coordinator - Sybil Magrill
Community Services Chair - Diane Fisher
After a 22 year career in banking, Diane retired with time on her hands. Her sister said "you should try quilting." Diane joined the Guild in 2001. Diane used her banking experience as auditor for various events in the guild. She was also a Raffle Quilt Officer.
She learned to sew from her mother at a young age, and made clothes for herself and her daughter, using a 1975 Singer Touch & Sew. When the Touch in Sew finally died, she fell in love with the Singer Featherweight, and had to buy one (1) for each granddaughter. Diane also enjoys making quilts for Project Linus and Quilts of Valor and has donated quilts to several charitable causes.
After a 22 year career in banking, Diane retired with time on her hands. Her sister said "you should try quilting." Diane joined the Guild in 2001. Diane used her banking experience as auditor for various events in the guild. She was also a Raffle Quilt Officer.
She learned to sew from her mother at a young age, and made clothes for herself and her daughter, using a 1975 Singer Touch & Sew. When the Touch in Sew finally died, she fell in love with the Singer Featherweight, and had to buy one (1) for each granddaughter. Diane also enjoys making quilts for Project Linus and Quilts of Valor and has donated quilts to several charitable causes.
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.