Suzanne Kleefman

Suzanne was much loved as a friend and a highly talented crafter. In addition to her membership of North East Yarns she was also a member of Wooragee Felters and Wangaratta Handweavers & Spinners.

Suzanne’s felting will always be on public show in the murals of the local landscape, flora and fauna that were crafted as a group project for the Wooragee Hall. Another group felting project was the Eliza Forlonge mural which won the People’s Choice Award at the 2017 Stitched Up Textile Festival in Wangaratta. When the mural was to be officially unveiled in Campbelltown, Tasmania, Suzanne was one of the 5 who flew to Launceston and who arranged, prepared the materials and conducted the felting workshop for students at the Campbelltown Primary School prior to the afternoon unveiling. The 8-panel mural is now framed and hangs in the reception area of the Campbelltown Community Health Centre only a short walk from the bronze statue of Eliza Forlonge in the main street.

For many years Suzanne has been a member of North East Yarns. She participated in all our activities including baling days, farm visits, working at markets and, most of all, beautifully crafting items that were sold through the group at markets and gallery outlets. Her hand knitted adult garments have been a specialty and apart from being greatly admired, were bought and worn by a wide range of customers. Another of her specialties was multi-coloured hand knitted socks. These were a feature of our displays at Canberra and Bendigo markets and at the 10 to 4 Gallery in Glenrowan. As a member Suzanne was always available to do her share of attending markets in all weather. Arriving early, erecting the gazebo for the Beechworth market, carting and unpacking goods, enjoying a morning coffee, interacting with tourists and customers and then packing up at the end of a tiring day, happy with the social day out with friends.

As a spinner Suzanne originally belonged to the Albury/Wodonga Spinners but then joined Wangaratta Handweavers & Spinners particularly for the teaching and workshop program, and Wangaratta Spinners soon became one of her major friendship groups. Her skills and willingness to learn from her fellow members meant she fitted in immediately. She was like a breath of fresh air when she entered the hall engaging with members and showing interest in all their current projects and the show and tell items. Suzanne took on the job of dye mistress with Barbara Tatterson and for several years she was responsible for dyeing the skeins for the rest of the members. She regularly participated in the annual International Scarf Exchange and her entries were of the finest quality and would have been treasured by the recipients. Suzanne’s passion and enjoyment from spinning became increasingly evident. Not unexpectedly her spinning became finer and more even as she worked through her collection of coloured merino tops. Suzanne was knitting her fine merino yarn into lace scarves which were readily sold. However, the knitting did not keep up with her spinning and so she was also selling many amazing skeins of hand spun yarn. Like her fellow spinners she felt it a great compliment when some-one chose to purchase and wear or use her craftwork. She was much loved for her bright personality and will be greatly missed.