Profiles in presence: MICHELLE SEBERN
Interview with Michelle Sebern in her own words:
This month, we have the pleasure of presenting someone near and dear to our hearts, Michelle Sebern. An accomplished leader and visionary, Michelle is a retired nurse and nursing administrator living in Sandpoint, Idaho. Michelle was a part of The Peaceful Presence Project from its inception and served as the organization’s first Board Chair through 2023.
Upon leaving the board, Michelle knew she wanted to deepen her involvement with her own community. Michelle is very creative and somehow sensed this was where to start. “I have a long history of working with fiber arts, and as a result, a big bag of scraps. I started making patchwork bears and soon, we had lots of bears around the house! But what I really love is to create things for people, art with purpose.” Michelle did some research and learned of The Memory Bear Project, initially popularized in the UK and Australia, where volunteers create bears using the cherished fabric of a deceased loved one as a way to provide a “lasting hug” to a bereaved person.
Michelle launched her project in November 2024 with a Facebook page, “The Memory Bear Maker”. “I heard from people right away! At first I thought people could just drop their fabric off on my porch, but I decided to give it more structure, have studio hours when people come with their fabric and their stories.” Michelle urges recipients to bring something that has not been washed, thus holding more of the loved one’s memory. She then spends about three days per bear transforming fabric, thread and stuffing into a delightful bear that captures some of the essence of each beloved person. “I knew this was the right way after a determined old lady had to get a ride to get her fabric to me . . . she cried, and I cried.” And a new bear was born. “I love doing it. I love the sewing, which is so relaxing and good for my health; sewing is calming and great for reducing anxiety. I receive a benefit while doing something with meaning . . . When they come to pick the bear up, they always hug them first, and then they cry. It’s truly a privilege.”
One recipient, Lisa, shared these words about receiving a bear: “My brother Barry died April 21, 2003. For many years I had one of his shirts hanging in my closet. I never knew what to do with it but I also knew that I would figure it out someday. Fast forward to a couple of months ago when I saw on Facebook a bear handmade by The Memory Bear Maker. I knew right away that I wanted to have Barry’s shirt made into a bear. In the end, Barry lives on in many of us through our memories and his impact on our lives. But now, I have this sweet representation of him in my home, reminding me that there’s always more love. . . Thank you Michelle. You are doing magical work that brings solace to many.”
While Michelle has her hands full serving her Sandpoint community, she would love to inspire others to start a project of their own. Hospice organizations have provided this service as a gift to their bereaved, and other individuals and groups have made it into a community project. Michelle welcomes interested persons to reach out for inspiration and technical help through the Facebook site or her email address: thememorybearmaker@gmail.com. Michelle takes no compensation for her bears. However, she has put a link to her Amazon supply account on the Facebook page for those that want to give back in some way. For her, the stories and insights offered about the person she is honoring with a bear are worth everything. While we miss Michelle’s active involvement at TPPP, it is so clear that she has found her next calling as The Memory Bear Maker. Bravo, Michelle!
