Betty O’Hearn recently brought 110 colorful, crocheted hats to the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield for out-of-town children who stay there while they are hospitalized.
These are not the only heads and hearts that have warmed him in recent years.
This is just the latest project of the 93-year-old artist. Over the years, she has made thousands of hats for the Eugene Springfield community – for children at Mackenzie Willamette Hospital, the local American Cancer Society, churches and homeless shelters.
In past years, she has donated hats in the Springfield Christmas Parade. He once paid 700 for this event.
“It’s not work for me, it’s fun,” O’Hearn said. “I think maybe that’s my purpose in life.”
It keeps him out of trouble, he jokes. O’Hearn’s hat making habit is therapeutic, a way to give back and, most importantly, a way to stay active, she said. She wants her peers to know that they still have the ability to learn, create and contribute.
“I want people my age to know that they can do something,” she said. “I want them to change the way they think.”
Sewing has been a lifelong passion for her. Learned the craft from aunt and grange women. He got married about a week after high school and has done and given a lot in his youth.
O’Hearn jokes that her husband told her she had to stop giving it all away, so she joined church bazaars and sold her work. He joked with her that the thread was bought with “her cigarette money” because she didn’t smoke, while many around her did. After she retired, O’Hearn got her job back.
She said she has a habit of making gift baskets for each of her 120 fellow residents at the Garden Way retirement community. During the holidays, residents find knitted hats, bunny magnets, flowers or other handmade items on their doorsteps.
Jade Woolsey, director of life enrichment at Garden Way, said within her living community she has a reputation as a lady bug.
“He’s quite popular in these parts,” Woolsey said. “He’s an inspiration.”
If only a handful of gift recipients appreciate them, O’Hearn considers it a worthwhile endeavor. She has finished this year’s Easter bunny magnets and has already started making hats for Christmas.
“I may not be here, but my things may be,” he said.
While he and other residents walked A cozy house, Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, crocheted baby blankets in a guest care package caught her eye. Robin Yozzo, director of guest services, told him they always take donations.
“He’ll probably start when we get home,” said a friend and neighbor.
O’Hearn unfolded the quilt and considered the size and materials needed.
Contact reporter Tatiana Parafyniuk-Talesnik at [email protected] or 541-521-7512 and follow her on Twitter @TatianaSophiaPT.
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