Library remembers colleague with quilt Library remembers colleague with quilt (August 27, 2004)

Artwork to be unveiled this weekend

By David Herbert

The Mountain View Public Library will unveil a quilt memorial for a former librarian Aug. 29.

Susan Ozubko, who died suddenly of a heart attack last summer at age 50, began working at the library in 1985 and served as Library Services Director from 1988 to 2000. As director, she oversaw the construction of a new building, which was finished under budget and two months ahead of schedule.

But beyond her administrative expertise, Ozubko was a remarkable woman, said Karin Bricker, the current Supervising Librarian for Children's and Teen Services and a close friend.

"What I always think about Susan was that she was a wonderful listener," she said. "She learned from everyone, and the library reflects that quality of hers."

Ozubko's untimely death spurred former co-workers to develop ideas for a memorial. Ozubko enjoyed art and crafts and sewing, Bricker said, and so a quilt seemed a fitting tribute.

After a competition, the commission was awarded to Diana Leone, a world-renowned quilter and former owner of Eddie's Quilting Bee on Castro Street.

The quilt, which only Leone has seen in its entirety, uses a medley of purple and teal hues and shows butterflies emerging from flowers and working their way into the light. The butterfly theme springs from Ozubko's own love of the creatures; she even named the library's conference rooms Gossamer, Swallowtail and Monarch.

The light represents several things, Leone said, like the light Ozubko brought into other people's lives, the search for knowledge she treasured and the "the light she found at the end of her life."

The 62-inch by 72-inch quilt was hand-painted on cloth and then machine-quilted. It took three months for Leone to complete.

The unveiling ceremony will take place Aug. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the library and is open to the public. Several friends and former co-workers will speak, as will Ozubko's widower Gene. Refreshments will also be served.

E-mail David Herbert at dherbert@mv-voice.com

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