Zelma South Schwartz

 

Zelma was born February 8, 1908 at Logan, Utah and was the fifth child of seven (four sons and three daughters) of Samuel Rich South and Hannah Corless.  By the time she arrived, her family had lived in Randolph, Logan, and Hyrum, Utah, and later lived in Salt Lake City, Randolph, and Ogden, Utah, moving to Island Park in 1923 where her father and brothers, Ren, Barney, and Charlie, cut railroad ties for the Union Pacific Railroad and operated the South Sawmill business.  Living in Island Park was Ren, Allen, Elgie, Barney, Zelma, Charley and Dorothy.

 

In 1929, Zelma left Idaho with the A. S. Trude family from their ranch located west of Pond’s Resort at Island Park to continue working for them in Chicago.  They later returned, but Zelma stayed in Chicago, and later moved to Boston where she became a skilled fur finisher.

 

In February 1945, she married Samuel Schwartz, a furrier.  After his death in December 1976, she moved in September 1977 to St. Anthony to be near her sister, Dorothy South Hackworth and other close relatives.

 

When Zelma was 50 years old, she suffered her first attack of multiple sclerosis and in the 1960s had more mild attacks.  In May 1973 she knew she should do everything possible to help herself.  This was accomplished by going to a nature-path, swimming, chiropractic treatments, rest medication, closely adhering to a special diet, following the LDS Word of Wisdom (code of health), and her family doctor’s instructions.

 

Early in February 1978, Zelma underwent surgery for colon cancer and one week later while still in the hospital in Idaho Falls, she fell and shattered her left hip.  None of this kept her down for long.  She says, “For me, assembling and tying quilts is wonderful therapy, not just for my bones, but for my mind.”

 

In 1980  while on a visit to Boston, she was hospitalized due to an intestinal blockage.  The doctor on her case gave her a report that was the best news she’s ever heard in her life.  A cat scan had been taken, and the doctor was almost as happy as she was.  He said, “There are no more signs of MS in your system.”  Through her efforts and those of her doctors in the east and in Idaho, faith and prayers, and especially blessings from a loving Heavenly Father, she had had a miraculous recovery.

 

A year later, she decided to make quilts, especially for people suffering from MS and cancer.   She has stitched her way into the hearts of many people here in Idaho, Utah, California, and Massachusetts, plus in many lands, even for people she has never met.  She says, “I cannot take away the pain people have, but hopefully the little quilts will bring some comfort and joy.”

 

How does she do it?  She says, “Like anyone else, one stitch at a time with love and consideration.  I can always think of a reason to make a quilt.”  Once she made one fro a lady’s dog.  She refers to her project of service as “the factory of joy and love.”  Friends, neighbors and young children assist in planning the quilts, making ties, hemming, gathering supplies and in packaging, addressing, and mailing the quilts.  Money and materials are often donated to assist Zelma with her quilts.  Her present goal is to make quilts for LDS mission presidents around the world.

 

Her sister, Dorothy, says, “I admire Zelma for her unwavering faith in the Lord, for her courage and determination, energy and service, but it makes me sick to thin she’s made over 2600 lap quilts in the last few years, and I haven’t even made one in my entire life!”