'An inspiration': Prolific crocheter, 93, wants older adults to know they have much to offer
Betty O’Hearn recently brought 110 colorful, crocheted hats to Springfield's Ronald McDonald House for the out-of-town babies who stay there when they have extended hospital stays.
Those aren't the only heads and hearts she's warmed in recent years.
It's just the latest project for the 93-year-old avid crafter. Over the years, she's made thousands of hats for the Eugene Springfield community — for McKenzie Willamette Hospital babies, the local American Cancer Society, churches and homeless shelters.
In years past, she's handed out hats at the Springfield Christmas Parade. She once made 700 for the event.
"It's not work to me, it's enjoyment," O’Hearn said. "I think, maybe, it's my purpose in life."
It keeps her out of trouble, she 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 are still capable of learning, creating and contributing.
"I want people my age to know they can do something," she said. "I want them to change the way they think."
Crocheting has been a lifelong passion for her. She learned the craft from aunts and grange ladies. She married about a week after high school and did a lot of making and giving away when she was young.
O’Hearn jokes that her husband told her she had to stop giving it all away, so she joined church bazars and sold her work. She would joke with him that the yarn was bought with her "cigarette money" since she didn't smoke while many around her did. Once she retired, O’Hearn started giving her work away again.
She said she has a habit of making crocheted gifts for every one of her about 120 fellow residents of the Garden Way Retirement community. During holidays, residents will find a crocheted hat, bunny magnet, flowers or other handmade items at their door from her.
Within her living community, she has a reputation as the crochet lady, said Jade Woolsey, life enrichment director at Garden Way.
"She's pretty famous around these parts," Woolsey said. "She's an inspiration."
If just a handful of the gifts' recipients appreciate them, O'Hearn considers it a worthwhile endeavor. She's finished this year's Easter bunny magnets and has already begun on hats for Christmas.
"I may not be here, but my things may be," she said.
While she and other residents toured Heartfelt House, Springfield's Ronald McDonald House, crocheted baby blankets in a care package for guests caught her eye. Robin Yozzo, guest services director, told her that they're always taking donations.
"She'll probably start when we get home, " a friend and fellow resident said.
O'Hearn unrolled the blanket and considered the size and needed materials.
Contact reporter Tatiana Parafiniuk-Talesnick at Tatiana@registerguard.com or 541-521-7512, and follow her on Twitter @TatianaSophiaPT.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: At 93, prolific crocheter wants peers to know they have much to offer
