It is with great sadness I must report the passing of an icon - Jean Leinhauser. Jean was recovering from several pelvic fractures that occurred recently when she suffered a major heart attack.

She leaves behind a legacy in the fiber arts world that may only be rivaled by her long time partner, Rita Weiss.

Whether you may know it or not, you learned from Jean. She founded Leisure Arts, which became the largest independent needlework book publisher. Later she founded the American School of Needlework (ASN Publishing).  She was Editor and Publisher of CROCHET! magazine for two years, and created and wrote the internet newsletter, TALKING CROCHET! We are all better fiber artists because of Jean. She was one of the "partners" of Creative Partners.

I had the pleasure to meet Jean a few years ago at the CGOA convention in New Hampshire. She was incredibly gracious and was very open with suggestions on how to proceed as I started to develop pattern designs.

Following Jean's wishes, she has been cremated and her ashes will be strewn over the water.

She was a great dog lover, especially rescue dogs, so family and friends are asking people who would like, to consider making a donation to to their local dog rescue group in her memory.

You will certainly be missed Jean...