Quilts tell stories. And Plumas Community Hospice shares the story of one special quilt — the quilt being given away to benefit PCH in its volunteer efforts.
The quilt is a creation of the late Leslie Hardy, DVM. Hardy was an adventurer who steered a Model A to Alaska, the Mississippi River Valley, and Boston. She flew a twin-engine Cessna throughout the West Coast, Mexico, and Sun Valley. She sailed a three-masted schooner to Cabo, and across the Pacific and up to Alaska.
Hardy practiced veterinary medicine most of her life. However, as a woman, she was denied a spot in the UC Davis veterinary program after graduating at the top of her class with her Bachelor of Science in 1964. The program told her no woman “should take the spot of a man.” Instead, she accepted a fellowship from Dartmouth, though the college was shocked to discover that when she arrived, Leslie Hardy was in fact a woman. She received a master’s degree and eventually was accepted to Michigan State University Veterinary College. In time, Hardy owned three veterinary hospitals.
Hardy and her husband, Michael Ganahl, relocated from the Bay Area to Plumas County in 2012. Hardy never slowed down, making Plumas County friends in the Model A Club and the Quincy Crazy Quilters, after taking up quilting as a passion.
In September 2021, the Dixie Fire almost destroyed Hardy and Ganahl’s property, and then, nine months later, Hardy received a devastating diagnosis. Plumas Community Hospice volunteers arrived at her home to help Hardy during the last days of her life, according to their mission to offer guidance, aid, and support to those who are experiencing a terminal illness.
From the fire to the time of her death in September 2022, Hardy created her last quilt. She found solace — and a community — in quilting, reported PCH volunteers. Expert quilter Carolyn Kenney guided Hardy, helping her until she passed. And afterward Kenney saw the quilt completed. Professional quilter Dorothy Miller, a former Quincy resident, donated time worth more than $300 completing the last stitches.
Hardy’s family donated her final quilt to benefit PCH, which is a volunteer nonprofit that depends on donations and fundraising to operate. Now the quilt is complete and ready to be given away to the lucky ticket holder. Tickets sell for $15 or $25 for two tickets and are available at Quincy Provisions, or through PCH volunteers and board members. During October, the quilt is on display at Plumas Bank in Quincy. On Oct. 1 and 15, PCH volunteers and Quincy Crazy Quilters members will sell tickets at the bank. Then the quilt will be displayed at Plumas District Hospital in November. The winning ticket will be drawn during downtown Quincy’s Sparkle event Friday, Dec. 1.
For more information about hospice services or becoming a volunteer call Plumas Community Hospice at (530) 394-7228.
Information submitted by Plumas Community Hospice
