Dignity Quilts: Honoring Life, Love and Legacy at Episcopal Church Home

On Easter Monday, during a moving service in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, two special quilts were blessed—quilts made not just of fabric and thread, but of care, compassion and deep respect for those who call Episcopal Church Home their final home.

These Dignity Quilts are a heartfelt addition to the way we honor residents who pass away. The idea began when Megan Lovejoy, Administrator in Training at ECH, saw an opportunity to make a meaningful change in our end-of-life care process. Wanting to provide a more visible symbol of respect and remembrance, she reached out to quilters Teri Schoenberger, Cynthia Lang and Amy Sharpe in October 2024 to take on the project.

All three women responded with enthusiasm and passion. They worked for months—guided by both skill and sentiment—to create two quilts, completed in March 2025. Each is handcrafted in the Log Cabin Barn Raising pattern, a design that holds rich historical significance. Popularized in the Civil War era and often linked to Abraham Lincoln, the “log cabin president,” the pattern has long symbolized patriotism, persistence and compassion. Today, it also stands for home, warmth, security and safe haven—all values that resonate deeply at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities.

The first quilt, stitched in the signature colors of ESLC, speaks directly to our core values: compassion, dedication, friendliness, innovation and respect. The yellow center squares represent light, warmth, welcome, the sun and the flame of a lit candle—symbols of the lives we’ve cherished and the light they leave behind. A cross stitched into the heart of the quilt honors our roots in the Episcopal faith, while also recognizing that our community is made up of individuals from many different spiritual backgrounds. It serves as a symbol of love, peace and respect for all, regardless of personal beliefs.

The second quilt carries the red, white and blue of the American flag, crafted to honor those who served our country. Red symbolizes not only valor and bravery but also the heart and warmth of the home. Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice, while white conveys purity and peace.

These quilts now play a solemn and beautiful role in how we accompany a resident as they leave the Church Home for the last time. They remind us of the dignity every person deserves, and they reflect the care that lives in the hearts of our staff.

Episcopal SeniorLife Communities is proud to honor life so deeply—even, and especially, at the end.