I need to add a note to this episode before it begins.  I had emailed Mel a few weeks ago for a follow up and didn’t get a reply, but I know she’s a busy lady and didn’t think much about it.  Then today I received a note from Carolina that she had also reached out to Mel several times with no response.  So Carolina did more digging and found Mel Shields obituary.  Mel passed away on April 5th, 2025.  Only five days after this interview was recorded.

This was quite a shock to us.  But I can’t imagine the shock it must be to her dear husband, Paul.

Paul, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy.  It was a privilege to know Mel through our quilting group.  She will be greatly missed.  And I want to let you know that you and your family are in our prayers.

It was an honor to record Mel’s story.  And Paul, I hope being able to hear her voice in this interview will give you comfort.

 

Mel Shields just has a few rules you need to follow when you’re at The Quilting Room with Mel. There are no quilting police, you make your quilts the way you want to and if you are happy with the results, so is she. Everyone is welcome in her quilting room and last but not least enjoy your sewing machines the way you want to.

These rules become very clear as we get to chat with Mel you’ll hear her deep love for quilting and sewing machines.

Here's Mel's No Y-Seam LeMoyne Star

Quenemo - Melissa Dawn Shields, 45, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Advent Health in Ottawa, Kansas. She was born on September 28, 1979, in Ottawa, Kansas, the daughter of James and Donna (Green) Meek.

Melissa had lived most of her life in the Quenemo Community. She graduated from Marais des Cygnes Valley High School in 1998.  

Melissa had worked as a waitress in high school and college, worked for Grapevine Internet as a Tech Rep and had worked several years at Marais des Cygnes Valley Elementary School. She had started as a Para with Three Lakes and then became the librarian and IT technician for the school. She had been a volunteer firefighter and worked with Osage County Emergency Management. She was a member of the Quenemo United Methodist Church and had always helped with the Quenemo Penny Suppers.

On December 19, 2004, Melissa was united in marriage to Paul Shields at the Michigan Valley Community Church.

Melissa was preceded in death by her parents, James and Donna.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Paul of 20 years; by her son, Joshua Shields of Herington; by her stepdaughter, April Shields; by her brother, Jim Meek of Spring Hill; and by her sister, Dee Dinkle of Independence, Missouri.

Funeral services for Melissa will be held at 11:00am on Friday, April 18 at the Feltner Funeral Chapel in Lyndon. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Quenemo. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Melissa may be made to Marais des Cygnes Valley Elementary School, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.