A Heartwarming Tale of Crafting and Compassion: Denise Fuller's Tribute to Wanda Mango

When Threads Tell a Story

In the peaceful, art-filled haven of Door County, Wisconsin, creativity flows as freely as Lake Michigan’s waves. But sometimes, creativity doesn’t just produce beauty—it creates healing, hope, and remembrance. That’s exactly what happened when Denise Fuller, a seasoned quilter from Ellison Bay, began a journey of crafting for Alzheimer's awareness—inspired by a woman she barely knew.

This is the story of Wanda’s Journey, a quilt-based tribute that shows how simple acts of kindness, stitched together with love, can become a movement of compassion and purpose.

A Chance Encounter That Left a Lasting Mark

Several years ago, Denise was on the lookout for new fabrics and materials for her quilting projects. That’s when she met Wanda Mango, a fellow crafter and former seamstress from Sturgeon Bay, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Wanda, once a passionate and accomplished sewer, had lost the ability to sew due to the effects of the disease. When Denise visited Wanda’s home to purchase some of her unused fabrics and T-shirt pictures, she couldn’t have known how deeply that moment would shape her own creative path.

It was a short visit. No grand plans. No expectations. Just a quiet interaction between two women connected by thread and fabric—one slowly saying goodbye to her craft, and the other unknowingly preparing to carry that torch forward.

Turning Fabric into Tribute: The Birth of Wanda’s Journey

That meeting stuck with Denise. She couldn’t stop thinking about Wanda—about the tragedy of losing not just memory, but the connection to something as personal and joyful as crafting.

So Denise did what many artists do in the face of grief and emotion: she created.

Using the T-shirt blocks and fabrics she bought from Wanda, Denise began making quilts—not just beautiful blankets, but memory quilts that would honor Wanda’s life and legacy. She named the initiative “Wanda’s Journey.”

And here’s where it gets powerful: Denise decided to donate 100% of the proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association, turning a creative outlet into an act of service.

This wasn’t just tribute quilting. It was crafting for Alzheimer's awareness, with every stitch serving as both remembrance and resistance.

From Quilts to Contributions: Crafting for a Cause

To date, Wanda’s Journey has raised several thousand dollars to support Alzheimer’s research and patient services. Denise has shared these quilts at local craft shows, spreading not just warmth through fabric but awareness through story.

This kind of impact—fundraising through handmade work—is a beautiful example of Alzheimer’s fundraising through crafts. It’s personal. It’s meaningful. And it resonates with anyone who’s lost a loved one to memory loss.

When Denise tells people about Wanda, she’s doing more than just explaining a quilt—she’s giving life to a memory, and inspiring others to act.

A Touching Twist: When Wanda’s Sister Walked Into the Story

One particularly emotional moment happened at a craft show in Door County. Denise had set up her booth, quilts neatly displayed, with a sign explaining the purpose behind Wanda’s Journey.

A woman named Jewel Peterson Ouradnik walked in, listened to the story—and interrupted, tears welling up.

She was Wanda’s sister.

Neither woman had expected it. But standing in that booth, connected by grief and creativity, they cried, hugged, and remembered Wanda together. It was a moment that felt divinely stitched—where memory, family, and fabric came full circle.

Why Crafting for Alzheimer’s Awareness Matters

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 6 million Americans, and many more globally. It’s not just a memory issue—it’s a condition that strips away identity, connection, and the ability to perform cherished activities like sewing, painting, and baking.

Crafting for Alzheimer's awareness is a gentle yet powerful way to push back. Whether it’s quilting for charity, creating memory books, or simply sharing stories—these acts preserve dignity and shine a light on what we stand to lose.

And more importantly, they inspire others to use their passions for purpose.

What Denise’s Story Teaches Us About Healing Through Creativity

What makes Denise’s work so impactful is not just the end result—it’s her motivation. She didn’t have to start this. Wanda wasn’t family. Their connection was brief. But she saw an opportunity to do more with her gift.

She reminds us that crafting with compassion can heal wounds, build bridges, and carry legacies.

If you’ve ever considered using your hobbies to give back, here’s your invitation. Handmade items for Alzheimer's support, even on a small scale, can mean the world to someone who’s grieving, caregiving, or simply trying to make sense of the disease.

How You Can Support or Start Your Own Creative Cause

If this story has touched you, here are a few ideas to turn your own talents into impact:

1. Make and Donate Memory Quilts

Like Denise, use personal clothing or fabric to create tribute quilts and donate them or auction them for Alzheimer's research.

2. Sell Crafts to Raise Funds

Whether it’s handmade gifts, paintings, or even custom jewelry, you can sell them online or at local markets and donate a portion to Alzheimer’s organizations.

3. Volunteer at Memory Care Centers

Lead a craft class or simple DIY activity for residents in memory care—bringing joy, connection, and creativity to their day.

4. Share Your Story

Blog about your own journey, post on social media, or create art inspired by loved ones you’ve lost. Crafting for Alzheimer’s awareness starts with storytelling.

A Legacy That Lives in Stitches

Every quilt Denise makes through Wanda’s Journey tells a story—not just of fabric, but of friendship, memory, and quiet acts of kindness. Through her work, Wanda is remembered not for what she lost, but for what she inspired.

And in a world often dominated by chaos and noise, that kind of gentle, beautiful impact speaks volumes.

So the next time you pick up a needle, a brush, or even a pen—ask yourself, “How can I use this to make a difference?”

Because as Denise Fuller has shown us, crafting for Alzheimer’s awareness doesn’t just warm bodies—it warms hearts.

Supporting the Fight Against Alzheimer’s.  Your Referrals Help Our Community

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