Friends, with great sadness, we report the peaceful passing of Karen Stevens on March 13. One of the founders of the DressShop Greater Philadelphia Users' Group (GPUG), Karen was an integral part of the small group that became the Custom-fit Software SIG of Philadelphia American Sewing Guild.

With notable success, Karen shared the C-fS goal of using computer software to design and fit garments for a variety of peoples' shapes and sizes. One of her particular successes included designing and fitting blouses for all the members of her church's bell choir - a group that ranged from a still-growing high-school girl to a mature lady in her 80s.

Karen was the creator of museum-quality quilts and other needlework. She combined her hand-sewing skills with beautifully fitted clothing to yield one-of-a-kind garments - for example, her "black tie" outfit of brightly colored ribbon work on a black velvet pants suit. Karen also sewed for her nieces as they grew from toddlers to teenagers.

Karen shared generously her knowledge of the computer software, carrying her laptop computer to monthly C-fS meetings and demonstrating deep program understanding to help others in C-fS and the wider ASG membership. She mastered the evolving software and used its capabilities to fit anything from a cowl-necked blouse to a pants suit to a ski jacket. Her expertise, cheerfully shared, will be sorely missed.

A memorial celebration of Karen's life will take place on Saturday, March 24, in Lititz, PA. For further information, please call or email Marj Jensen in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen's name may be made to the American Cancer Society.

In sadness that we've lost Karen, but secure in the knowledge that she's with the God she loved and served...

Thank you Marj for sharing this sad news and your gracious and moving remarks! Karen will be sadly missed.

Kaaren