Stephen Edwin Pitt – Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel

Quilt panel, part of Australian Memorial AIDS Quilt, in memory of 'Stephen Edwin Pitt', cotton / wool / metal /ink /plastic /synthetic textile, various makers, Sydney, New South Wales Australia, 1992 A rectangular panel, portrait orientation. The background fabric is dark mint green. At the top of the panel is a rectangular patch of Aida cloth with cross stitch done by hand. 'Stephen Edwin Pitt / 23rd August 1962 - 5th October 1991 / aged 29 years / His family knows he is with God. He will remain / in their hearts forever.' A single red rose is below. In the lower right hand corner of the patch 'Donna XXX' is written in black ink. Under this patch to the left is a small bear with a red ribbon around its neck; to the right side is a circular cross stitch patch with two bears in a basket decorated with balloons with 'Love bears all things / love Mum'. Five printed fabric coloured photographs of a boy and man, in black padded photograph frames with gold braid edging, are in an arc across the panel. Four large LP records, each made of black padded cotton fabric with labels made of beige aida cloth are in the centre of the panel. Record 1: What'll I do. xxx. / LP 33 1/3 / Linda Ronstadt; Record 2: 'I / JUST CALLED / TO SAY I LOVE / YOU' / LP 33 1/3 / Stevie Wonder. There is a telephone embroidered in crossstitch on this record.; Record 3: Abba / LP 33 1/3 / 'Fernando' / side one 1; Record 4: 'You & Me / against the World / LP 33 1/3 / Helen Reddy. On the left side is a printed coloured photograph of his cattle dog 'Bluey' with a metal brooch with wings attached. Below that there is a single yellow fabric rose. On the right side a black school blazer pocket attached by hand is embroidered with 'Ashfield High / Prefect / Citizen of the Year'. In the centre at the bottom of the panel is a machine appliqued printed scroll with gold braid edging with the music score of the song 'Unforgettable'. The quilt was made by Stephen's mother and a friend of Stephen's, Sydney, New South Wales Australia, 1992. It was completed on the first anniversary of his death in 1992. The colours chosen were his favourite colours of green and black as stated in a handwritten letter from his mother and father received with the quilt panel. Further comments in the letter included: 'yellow is the sunshine he brought to our lives'; 'His lifestyle was simple, he loved his family, his old "teddy", his Cattle Dog "Bluey" and his friends. Music played a big part in his life, he collected records with zest. He loved the sun and water, ran in the City to Surf when he was in better health'. 'We hope our quilt shows there is no prejudice or shame, that we support him in death as we did in life.', and 'We want him to be remembered forever.' In a card received with the quilt panel, his friend said: '.... I am a friend of Stephen's. His mother, Bette, and I have not long completed a quilt in Stephen's memory, and although its very hard to explain the sort of person he was, I'd like to try. Stephen was a workmate who I had know for about 2/1-2 years. Such a short time, but he left such a lasting impression on me. He was very gentle and sweet, extremely funny, charming, a little devilish and all in all, a good and positive person. It really was pleasurable to spend my day with him. Not one person ever said anything negative about Stephen, that I knew - he was a genuinely well-liked. Unfortunately Stephen, like many others, I'm sure, could not completely trust his workmates with the knowledge that he had Aids (sic). It saddens me to think how lonely the disease can be. He did have the support of his family. He did confide in one friend from work and that must have been a small relief for him. Although I knew of his illness, we could never talk openly, but I do believe he knew that I knew, and I hope he just understood my silent support. He never complained and worked in a responsible job until approx. 2 weeks before he died - his endurance, inner strength and positivity will never cease to amaze me. He has touched my heart and my life in a way that I don't think I could explain and the loss of him is enormous. Doing his quilt was a great honor, albeit very distressing at times, but no-one would ever be able to see the love that went into it by his lovely Mum, but we know. And I hope Stephen does too. I feel very lucky to have known Stephen, and I like to believe his parting gift to me was to let me enjoy his special family. I don't know if I meant that much to him - but it gives me solace to believe that. Although it hurts now that he's gone, I really do feel different having known him and for all those who didn't know him, - well, - they dipped out on knowing a very special and delightful young man. Nothing - no quilt, no note, no sentimental words - nothing can truly do him justice, but I guess its all we have. He has a special place in my heart and I will never forget him.' (The preceding transcription was typed verbatim with spelling errors, etc, intact)