100-year-old Longboat Island Chapel member threads love to children

Longboat Island Chapel member Dorothy Wallace Foisy proves you’re never too old to give back.

Wallace Foisy, who will turn 100 June 26, sews approximately five baby quilts a week for Riverview High School’s Cyesis Teen Parent Program, migrant workers’ children and for other local organizations, which are distributed through the Longboat Island Chapel.

Wallace Foisy’s love for quilting began when she was 8 years old, when she made quilts for baby dolls.

“My grandma had a lady come and make her a dress on Easter,” Wallace Foisy said. “The woman took on making us dresses, and she never took a stitch that I didn’t ask what she was doing. She taught me and didn’t mind me sitting and watching. I began making clothes for dolls.”

Wallace Foisy was born in Monongahela, Pa. She dreamed of raising 12 children but only had four. Eventually, she began hand-sewing clothing and other items for her family.

 “She used to make all our clothes,” Lynn Walker, Wallace Foisy’s daughter, said. “She made my prom dress. She made the most astonishing quilts by hand. She’s a master seamstress. Our home always looked like Better Homes and Gardens.”

With age, Wallace Foisy had to start using a sewing machine 10 years ago rather than creating items by hand.

She began making baby quilts six years ago and joined Longboat Island Chapel three years ago.

“She loves the church,” Walker said. “The first time she attended a service, she came out in tears and said, ‘I’ve found my home.’ I’m delighted she’s found this outlet and is able to help so many people with the help of the church.”

The church donates Wallace Foisy’s quilts to the Cyesis Teen Parent Program mainly during the winter holidays or for Mother’s Day.

“It’s been wonderful, and we’re really, really appreciative of her,” Cyesis Child Care Director Kathy Kourapis said. “She’s such a lovely lady.”

Wallace Foisy is known among Longboat Island Chapel members for her fashions.

“She is one of the most energetic and fashionable ladies in our church,” the Rev. Vincent Carroll said. “Being almost 100 years old, she still wears hats to every church service. She means a lot to our congregation. She has been very, very generous with the sewing of the quilts.”

In addition to sewing quilts, Wallace Foisy also enjoys painting and poetry, two hobbies she has carried with her throughout her life.

“I don’t have a favorite,” Wallace Foisy said. “It depends on what mood I’m in. I can’t sew if I’m thinking about poetry.”

Each of Wallace Foisy’s quilts is embroidered with the letters “MIK,” a tribute to her son Kim, who was killed in combat Dec. 22, 1963.

“It changed the fabric of our family,” Walker said. “Losing a child is just indescribable, but his leaving was an inspiration for all of us to live our lives to the fullest.”

Walker estimates Wallace Foisy has donated more than 400 quilts to the church.

“It just makes me feel good,” Wallace Foisy said. “One little girl I gave a quilt to gave me a big kiss. She could’ve given me $100, and it wouldn’t have been as good as that kiss.”

No two quilts are alike with the exception of those for twins, which Wallace Foisy particularly enjoys.

“I think it’s really, really wonderful that she takes the effort to still give at almost 100 years old,” Kourapis said. “She’s still giving to the community and making an impact on the lives of people and families in Sarasota.”

Wallace Foisy will turn 100 at the end of the month, and she is not on any medication with the exception of an antibiotic.

“I feel like everything is beginning to wear out, and I can’t hear or sew by hand like I used to, but I’m happy to be here,” Wallace Foisy said. “My aunt taught me that there’s no such word as can’t. I live by that.”

Wallace Foisy’s family is celebrating her all month.

“She’s just amazing,” Walker said. “We’re going to celebrate all month. You only turn 100 once, and she’s been the most wonderful mother in the world.”