'You've got to have a purpose in life': Woman crochets stuffed animals for hospital patients

Sep. 25—Cathy Wahl's hobby has the power to bring joy to those in tragic situations.

For more than two years, Wahl has crocheted animals for children at Frederick Health Hospital, trying to bring a spark of joy to people in terrible circumstances.

"It gives me joy, because there's not enough of that in this world," she said.

It started more than two years ago, when her daughter's best friend was in the hospital with breast cancer. Wahl's daughter asked her to make her friend a hat when she began to lose her hair, and things continued from there.

Wahl had learned to crochet when she was a little girl, taught by a neighbor whose fingers moved faster than Wahl thought hers ever could. But she eventually learned, and crocheted afghans, blankets and doilies, as well as sewing quilts.

"Anything that strikes me," she said.

She tries to make a dozen animals per month, choosing from a variety of about 30 patterns that include animals and a gingerbread boy and girl. Her favorite one to make might be the llama, she said.

Each figure takes about two nights of work to complete, depending on how much time she has to work on it.

When she has enough, she takes them into the Development Office at Frederick Health Hospital, where they're distributed to children and others who want one.

She said that she doesn't actually see the children get the animals, but she takes satisfaction from knowing that she's made someone's life a little bit better. Anything that can bring some joy to a sick child is worth it, she said.

Wahl has lived in Frederick for more than 70 years.

"I grew up in the best of times," she said. "And kids today don't have that."

She and her husband Gene owned two local businesses. He first opened a typewriter repair shop, which grew and transitioned into selling fax machines and other office equipment. When that business was sold, they started a copy machine dealership, which they sold in 2008.

When they retired, she needed ways to keep busy. Married for 54 years, she and her husband are both homebodies who don't really like to travel. He does woodworking, and Wahl needed a hobby of her own.

She found that crocheting, knitting and sewing give her a calm feeling.

She also likes to keep active by walking two miles a day. Until a few years ago, she still moved the lawn with a push lawn mower.

"Age has nothing to do with anything. It's just a number," she said.

Some health problems and personal losses in recent months have slowed down her production of animals for the hospital, but she said she plans to keep at it as long as her body allows her to do it.

"You've got to have a purpose in life," she said, "and my purpose is to make someone happy."