Mourning a National Treasure: Tasha Tudor, From Victoria Magazine Options

[Guest_VIC Moderator_*]

Victoria Readers:

As many of you already know, a beloved Victoria treasure, 92-year-old Tasha Tudor, was lost to us on June 18. The editors of Victoria magazine would like to offer everyone who admired her a place to memorialize her life and work. Please take a moment to remember Tasha Tudor by sharing your thoughts and stories about this amazing woman.

Sincerely:
Victoria Editors

Visit our website for Victoria magazine's memorial to Tasha Tudor.

[Lady19thC]

Tasha Tudor has had a great impact on my life and I was heartbroken and stunned to hear of her death on Wednesday through the Early Bird emailings. Though we did have some of her illustrated books when we were young, I really discovered her in the 90's when I found the books about her personal life in the Sturbridge Village bookstore. I fell in love with the photographs and quickly grabbed an armload of various Tasha Tudor related goodies. It wasn't long before I found myself listening to her words of wisdom about following one's dream and began to create my own beloved world. Everywhere I look I see her influence on my life. My dream Grandfather clock, lovingly named Master Humphrey, chiming by the hearth. My shaker boxes, gleaming candlesticks with beeswax or bayberry candles, oriental rugs, blue tea sets, dolls and miniatures, books galore, bedwarmers and quilts, hourglasses and floral prints on the walls. As I speak there hangs over the computer an ornately framed print of Tasha wearing a lovely lace collar and holding a book, looking much like she just walked out of Gaskell's novel "Cranford".

In December, 2005, I was able to tour the special Tasha Tudor exhibit at the Orchard House, in Concord, and once home, treated myself to a collector's copy of her illustrated version of Little Women. I just recently reread it. I proceeded to write her a thank you for her amazing life and artwork, and wrote many letters to her granddaughter in-law, Amy. We exchanged books and titles through the mail and Amy once said I had the exact same taste in books as Tasha did! My collection of her books continued to grow with treasures like a copy of A Little Princess with a drawing she did for me, and by her autograph, the words "Take Joy!!". On Christmas Eve, right before we hang our stockings, we sit by the tree and read her last version of The Night Before Christmas, and then turn all the lights off, except for the single Nativity one. All our traditions will continue.

While I still mourn her death, I will also continue to honour her life and spirit. This afternoon I will put on one of my Tudor aprons and have tea out of blue and white china. I will sit back and enjoy my garden and reflect on a life well spent. I will wind my clock and sweep the hearth, hum a Shaker tune and check the bird nest in the front wreath before dinner. Tomorrow we will plant some flowers and herbs in our garden in her memory. Because this is what Tasha would want us to do. To Take Joy and leave the gloom behind. The world becaem a more wonderful and magical place thanks to her presence, her vision and continued spirit among us. Enoy the 1830's, Tasha! I know you are back there, soaking in your new garden and having tea, while you wait for the rest of us to join you.

[Kay Moser]

Dear Lady 19thC,

What a perfect tribute to beloved Tasha! I, too, shall have a special tea in my blue and white china, and I shall think of her, especially the grace, beauty and joy she embodied. Let us vow to keep alive her joy in life, her fearless pursuit of her passions, her love of all things fine and beautiful.

Beautiful traditions, ladies, are the lifesavers our world needs. We must bring a little grace to the world every day. How better can we honor ladies like Tasha?

Kay Moser

[christinamo7]

One of the things that I loved about Tasha Tudor, is that she sought to improve her situation all through her life, even moving when she had the opportunity. How many of us would have stayed in an ok situation, rather than be brave enough to pick up and move on?

I personally love the idea of being barefoot, tending a garden... milking a goat... that quiet lifestyle, but the tribute to this woman, is to keep persuing your own dreams, even if the life you desire is vastly different from hers.

[wanderlustnpixie...]

Oh my goodness where have I been? This is the first I've heard of her passing. I'm very sorry to hear this. She was definitely an inspiration to many of us.

[Sweetbriar]

I dreaded the day this news would come, and while not totally unexpected, I read the Tudor's Early Bird post with great sadness and a sense of great loss. It may sound silly, but I often would think of her, wonder what she was doing at that moment. This would especially occur around the holidays, when I would think of her and her family following their traditions, many of which my own family adopted. For years, when our children were little, we would make a lantern-lit path through the woods leading to the barn, where we would set up a creche amongst the scented hay. How special those Chistmas nights were for us and any guests we would have --- standing there looking at the figures, lit by candlelight, listening to the sounds of the animals munching their grain or hay. We would sing Silent Night or Away in a Manger, and then return home, feeling that THIS was the essence of the whole season!

My memories, or perhaps a better word would be awareness, of Tasha goes back a long, long way. I received her book, The Lord Will Love Thee, as a gift for attending the local Presbyterian Church's Bible school one summer. But my first "wake up moment" was when our 3rd grade teacher would read parts of The Secret Garden to the class each morning. The story became so real to me through Tasha's illustrations; and I still find every edition lacking in comparison to hers! My home is close to Mill Hall, PA where the Dutch Inn was located. Ned Hills, the proprietor, had become close friends with Tasha, and she would often visit for booksignings, accompanied by an entourage of corgyn, and other animals. (Ned Hills later became immortalized as ST Nick in one of the versions of The Night Before Christmas. The Dutch Inn also appears in one of her illustrations.) Through the years Tasha would often come to various parts of PA, and if I knew about it, I would be there with books to be signed in hand! She would always, in her quiet and gracious manner, have some kind words to say.

I always yearned to see her home and gardens in person, and when the Tudors began offering the garden tours, I went! This was a dream come true for me, which almost didn't happen. I had ruptured my appendix a couple of weeks before this and because of the infection I had to undergo over a week's worth of heavy duty antibiotic doses via IV. The doctor said when the infection cleared he would operate. I said I HAD to go see Tasha's house and garden, so the surgery would just have to wait til I got back! I prayed taht all would be well, and with the doctor's agreement, I was able to go. I'm glad I had his okay, otherwise I probably would have chanced fate and gone, praying to God that surely He wouldn't have given me this glorious opportunity, only to have it snatched away! That day I just sat in the shade of Tasha's tree, soaking in all the sights, sounds, smells --- everything my senses could detect. What bliss! What joy! My heart was so full with the realization that I was in a hallowed place!

I think that for many of us, Tasha became a muse to a richer, more beautiful life. She taught us to appreciate the small, simple things in life, long before that became the popular mantra that it is now. But not to be ignored is the fact that while her life looked quite bucolic, it was hard work! As a single mother, who by her own words, sold her art "to keep the wolf from the door." Living an early 19th century lifestyle brings it's own demands, even from the simple, but very necessary, task of keeping a sufficient wood supply for heating and cooking for example. Yet with all of this daily responsibility, Tasha found time to celebrate life's occasions and holidays in her own unique style. And through it all, she learned to Take Joy!

And while her spirit travels back to that time period she held so dear, her legacy will live on for many, many years to come. For her life and what she has meant to mine, I take joy! From the great legacy she has left us, I take peace.

[JClemes]

I, too, was dreading this news, and am indebted to Victoria from bringing your readers this kind of news that might slip through the cracks otherwise. I am so glad you have returned to print, so the beauty of this type of simple and gracious living can continue to inspire readers.

[lyndune]

Tasha Tudor lives in each of hearts who has had the pleasure to read her books and see her illustrations. She is not gone from our lives at all. Her spirit is here with each and everyone one of us ! My wish is that for every new generation that comes along, children and adults alike can discover what a treasure they have within their mist.


Linda
Tassels by Lyndune

[peggyanne]

what a sadness, she was loved by so many, and will be greatly missed. she continually reminded me, by her example, of what serenity was all about.

[Guest_kimberlycahill_*]

Tasha Tudor inspired me. She was a metaphor for the true enjoyment of life. She was genuine.

I started collecting books about her seven years ago, but my first introduction came from Victoria magazine years ago.
The first one was Forever Christmas and my last one was Drawn from New England by her daughter Bethany
I think I have six total plus the two videos Take Peace and Take Joy.

Oh, I just loved her. I always dreamed of what it would be like to be in her family and go 'visit'
Cant you just imagine?

What an absolute treasure she was and will always be to us all.

[Victoriana Lady ...]

God blessed our world with the World of Tasha Tudor.
Now he has taken her back to himself.
She will be terribly missed...

[susiequzie]

Hanging in my upstairs hallway is a signed Tasha Tudor print with a small hand-drawn picture and her signature on it. Tasha personalized this large poster for my sister, who adored her and had dozens of volumes of her work. My sister and I shared a huge admiration for Tasha Tudor's iconoclastic way of living.

I lost my only sister in 2001 after she'd had a long battle with a chronic illness, and I inherited her Tasha collection, so I doubly cherish every item: for itself, and in loving memory of my sister.

I like to imagine my sister and Tasha in some heavenly tea party, enjoying the presence of their flowers and dogs and homemade cakes, taking joy.

Susie

[Guest_kimberlybeachgirl_*]

Greetings friends,

I just received my Early Bird Post and wish to share the link to this most special section of the website.

http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/tea-story.html

[Faerie of the Wo...]

Greetings friends,

I just received my Early Bird Post and wish to share the link to this most special section of the website.

http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/tea-story.html

Dear Kimberly,

Winslow's tea stories always focus on the delight to be found in the often overlooked details of everyday life. It seems that he carries on his grandmother's way of appreciating the simple things . . . this part of her legacy has had a great impact on my life.

[Joan Treese]

Thanks for the link!

[AprilRain]

That is delightful; thank you for the link! I felt a contented sigh come on as I read this.

[Guest_kimberlybeachgirl_*]

Here is the link, again, as I found this in my email today. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/tea-story.html

[Guest_tigger lily 2_*]

Thank you for sharing.You make this great lady come alive
with your wonderful memories.
For one I never knew she had Illustrated 'The Secret Garden '.
I have always loved that story.
The OCT-NOV copy of Victoria . 'In Rememerbrance '
Opening all your hearts.

[Carolee]

Thanks for the update, Kimberly! I'm going to try my hand at Tasha's famous Dundee cakes this week (from the Tasha Tudor Cookbook). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

~ Carolee