Someone you should know

A local news channel periodically has a segment called “Someone You Should Know.” In Neighborhood 21, we have that someone you should know – Midge (Dorothy) Novy. Midge calls herself an embroidery nut, but this talent has brought unusual comfort to many and a sense of gratification for her. Sewing and sewing machines have been a part of Midge’s life. She was first introduced to the embroidery sewing machine by her sister. She was fascinated by it and personally, in time, perfected its operation and stitching creativity.

Midge (Dorothy) Novy. (Photo provided)

What was once a labor of necessity has turned into a labor of love. After the Columbine High School tragedy, a request went out to sewers to stitch a Columbine design on a white t-shirt, and Midge did six of them. This led to an additional group seeking sewers for another worthwhile and sensitive project. She now embroiders memorials for families who have lost loved ones during the recent wars. Midge thoughtfully selects a name from the latest casualty list, searches for and contacts the next of kin to see if they would like a memorial. If they are receptive, she embroiders, has it matted, framed, and delivered at her own expense. She presently concentrates on the Illinois’ fallen heroes, although her work did span many states. One was a teenage son in Alaska who had lost his dad in Afghanistan.

Embroidering is the easy task, but meeting the families to discuss or deliver the memorials is heart-wrenching. Most want to meet outside their homes because it seems easier to control their emotions. Midge and her husband, Don, have met them at Starbucks, sipping coffee with a mother who is trying so hard to be brave. An empty parking lot, under an umbrella during a thunderstorm, where another mother struggles to open the package with the memorial. Tears flow for her loss and tears of gratitude for the thoughtful remembrance of her child. And so on…

One mother in her thank you e-mail quoted the following: “When the heartbeat of one soldier stops forever, the heartbeat of our nation should accelerate, driving us to ensure that this life was not sacrificed in vain.” Midge includes this reminder in the notes she sends along with her memorials, letting them know that their loved ones, our fallen heroes, are not forgotten.

Midge began this silent and significant contribution on the “home front” in 2005 but was deterred with some serious health issues from 2006-2008. She returned, determined as ever, to continue embroidering these memorials and has completed 41 of them. Each has its own story. At requests and suggestions from the families, she has been able to personalize and make them more meaningful.

If interested in helping, the internet Yahoo embroidery group is known as “No Soldier Left Behind Memorial” and the hand cross-stitch team is the “American Soldier Memorial Project.” If you know of any family that would want a memorial, contact Midge or one of the above groups.

Midge never stops! Locally, she and her faithful embroidery sewing machine (Ruby) belong to the Embroidery Buds under the Sew ‘N Sews umbrella of Sun City, who have been embroidering pillowcases and sheets for “The Home of the Sparrow” and the Vets Home in Hebron.

She and husband, Don, her partner in this heartwarming project, have been married for 56 years. Their family consists of two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. They have lived in Sun City since 2004 and absolutely love it.

Now you know why Midge is someone you should know. May she continue to have good health, and may this “embroidery nut” continue to bring some measure of happiness to all families who have been overwhelmed with grief over the loss of loved ones.

---

---