The guild would like to honor members who have made a lasting impact on our group. Their contributions in time, knowledge, outreach, and support are a huge part of who and where we are today.
Mary Kelly – Founder
September 13, 1930 – June 24, 2025
Click here to learn more about Mary.
Bonnie Warwick – Co-Founder
April 23, 1958 – April 28, 2024
Spotlighting Two of Our Founders – Mary Kelly and Bonnie Warwick
By Marni Robins-Strong
Since I am a newer member of the Guild, I never had the pleasure of meeting Mary in person, but her legacy permeates every part of our group, from our valued meeting place to our golden rules:
- Be Kind.
- You can do it!
At almost every meeting, someone has recounted one of Mary’s “rules” or humorous incidents. One of my favorite stories is the one told by Zelma Barrett: Mary wanted to feed the Wool Room workers at the Dutchess County Fair with grilled cheese sandwiches. She was going to bring her “George Forman Griller” to make the sandwiches. When she finally got everything ready, she realized she had brought her waffle maker instead of the griller. It was too far to go back and get the griller, so all the sandwiches were waffle shaped and indented!
Another story is that no matter what you did, Mary thought it was “Just Great!” It could have been the first time you spun yarn, and it was all lumpy and uneven, but Mary told you “You are a natural!”
We hope that our guild will always project the essence of Mary in helping and caring about all things fiber related and teaching all who wish to learn about sheep and wool, spinning and the numerous ways to work with fiber.
Remembering Mary Kelly from the Historic Red Hook Website:
https://www.historicredhook.org/blog/remembering-mary-kelly
Bonnie, on the other hand, was instrumental in helping me get to know all the guild members. She was so enjoyable and outgoing! Larger than Life! One of the first things I ever did with the guild was to attend a dye class she taught at a farm. Bonnie’s knowledge was just amazing.
She coordinated the spinners at the DC Fair masterfully and so tactfully! It was such a pleasure to spend time with Bonnie! I’m not the only one who thought so, please check out the interviews with Bonnie below:! It was such a pleasure to spend time with Bonnie! I’m not the only one who thought so, please check out the interviews with Bonnie below:
Interview with Bonnie and Cornell University:
Newspaper article about Bonnie:
You Tube with Bonnie and Judy Maelstrom: