By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Now retired, Pat D’Elia was once a well-known pharmacist in Mandarin who filled prescriptions for much of the community in the mid 1980s and 1990s. Born in Syracuse, NY, she moved to Tampa with her family at age 12. She graduated from the University of Florida with her pharmacy degree and worked in a few Florida cities before being recruited, along with her husband Joe who was a store manager, by Walgreens to come to Jacksonville for the opening of the chain’s new store on San Jose Boulevard (which most recently was home to Beall’s). Upon her retirement in 2001, she became interested in quilting and joined the All Star Quilters Guild to learn more about it. Over the years, she has been very involved with the guild and currently is the president of QuiltFest, which is made up of seven local guilds and also produces the all-volunteer show, QuiltFest, each year at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Pat and Joe have a grown son and daughter and one granddaughter. They have lived in Mandarin for 38 years.
Q: Did you always want to be a pharmacist?
A: I always wanted to be in the healthcare profession, but I couldn’t find my niche. In my early years of college, I worked in a non-professional role in a Tampa hospital pharmacy and was exposed to the profession. I decided I liked the work, the respect the pharmacist was given, and also the pay. So I transferred to the University of Florida for pharmacy school.
Q: What was your favorite part about being a pharmacist?
A: I liked helping people solve their medical issues, since one thing will often affect another. I liked helping to more fully explain their medical condition from what their doctor said. Even over the counter medications need explanation sometimes, since people often don’t understand the terminology. Pharmacy is a high stress profession, though, in that you have to be 100 percent accurate 100 percent of the time — and at a fast pace that’s expected, despite interruptions of the phone or a customer with a question.
Q: How did you become interested in quilting and what do you like best about it?
A: I had sewn clothes and such since I was young, but had never quilted. After I retired, I took some classes and joined the All Star Quilters Guild, which provided camaraderie and access to classes. I love fabric … the feel of it and even the smell of it. It’s nice to create something useful and beautiful at the same time out of it.
Q: Does the All Star Quilters Guild provide community service opportunities?
A: Yes. In addition to raising money and donating food to the Mandarin Food Bank, we also make quilts for several area nonprofits, such as Quilts of Valor, daniel (for foster children), Hart Felt Ministries (for senior citizens), Hospice pediatrics and Honor Flight. For some of the organizations, we make quilts for their clients’ use, such as smaller quilts for laps or wheelchairs. A conservative estimate would be that the guild contributes 300 quilts a year to charities. We also produce a quilt for QuiltFest to raffle for charity; this year, proceeds will go to Foster Closet, a store where people with new foster children can “shop” for needed clothes and toys at no charge.
Q: What can you tell us about QuiltFest?
A: QuiltFest is an annual event whose purpose is to showcase quilts and encourage and inspire quilters. This year’s show is our 37th and it will be held Sept. 19, 20, and 21. There will be numerous vendors and a section for young quilters, as well as approximately 400 quilts. We have multiple categories for entered quilts to win prizes. We have a modern category this year. We want people to know that not all quilts are your old-fashioned grandmother’s quilt. Some of the quilts today are more like art. Everyone is invited to attend!
[Author’s Note: Visit www.Quiltfestjax.com to learn more about this year’s QuiltFest.]
Photo courtesy Pat D’Elia
Pat D’Elia
