A few months ago, 96-year-old Yvonne Gibson and her daughter Sylvia stopped by Siloam Mission with a special gift for our community. We were overwhelmed to receive ten beautiful, hand-stitched quilts – each one lovingly made by Yvonne.
As we were unpacking them, something remarkable happened. A community member who was preparing to move into his own apartment happened to walk by with his case worker. He paused, looked at the quilts, and asked if he could take one for his new home. Of course, we said yes. He gently chose one, holding it close. It was a powerful moment that said so much – about new beginnings, and about the comfort of something made with love and care.
From her home in Ashern, Manitoba, Yvonne had spent months turning donated fabric into something meaningful. The gift wasn’t part of a call for blankets and quilts. It came straight from the heart. After seeing a TV segment about Siloam Mission’s supportive housing project in Winnipeg, she felt inspired to help in her own way.
With Sylvia by her side, she began piecing together what she calls her “Crazy Quilts” – each one a patchwork of colour, texture, and story. The fabrics came from other quilters who no longer needed them. Every piece was chosen with care, and every quilt was made with someone in mind: someone starting fresh.
Yvonne has been sewing since she was 11, but only took up quilting about 15 years ago. Since then, quilting has become a meaningful part of her life – especially during the long Manitoba winters. Sylvia played a big role too, helping with pinning, batting, and setting up the quilting frame. Together, they created ten quilts – each one meant to bring a bit of home to someone rebuilding their life.
These quilts aren’t just practical items. They’re personal and filled with care. They’ll be given to people transitioning from homelessness into stable housing through Siloam Mission – a reminder that generosity often starts quietly, with people who simply want to help.
Yvonne’s story goes far beyond quilting. Born in Cayer, Manitoba, in 1929, she didn’t learn English until she started school at age eight. She raised four children on a farm in Faulkner, ran a general store with her husband, and remembers the days of coal oil lamps and treadle sewing machines. Over the years, she’s sewn clothing for her family, passed on her skills to her daughters, and made countless lap blankets for neighbours and friends.
Now that summer is here, Yvonne is taking a break from quilting to enjoy time with her family. But once the snow returns, she’ll be back at her quilting.
The entire Siloam community is deeply grateful for donors and supporters like Yvonne and Sylvia. Their thoughtfulness is a reminder that the simplest gestures – made with care and intention – can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.
