John Ritchie Evans, of Laurys Station, was recently honored with the dedication of a quilt square for the Gift of Life Donor Program Threads of Love memorial quilts.

Every family whose loved one saved and healed lives through organ and tissue donation coordinated by Gift of Life is invited to create a one-of-a-kind quilt square, which will become part of memorial quilts displayed in hospitals, houses of worship and other public venues and at Gift of Life’s headquarters in Philadelphia.

Evans saved five lives through organ donation when a brain aneurysm took his life at age 56 in 2019. His corneas and skin tissue were also donated.

Evans’ wife, Judy, a retired Catasauqua teacher, attended a virtual ceremony to dedicate the quilt squares that pay tribute to her husband and other donors.

“The ceremony was well done with each and every donor being showcased and honored in such a loving way,” she said.

In addition to his wife, Evans is survived by two children, Jaclyn and Ian.

Evans loved sports, especially wrestling, and was a coach for Parkland School District’s elementary squad for many years. He also loved rock music, and his memorial quilt square includes a fabric background of one of his favorite bands, KISS.

The square also features his favorite saying, “It is what it is.”

“He was well known for that advice, and it was heard often when things didn’t go just as planned,” Judy Evans said. “Instead of complaining, John always took things in stride and figured out ways to deal with unforeseen circumstances.

“He never gave up when figuring out a solution or helping someone who needed assistance,” Judy Evans said.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and compassion of donors and families like his, the Gift of Life region has been the most generous for organ donation in the United States every year since 2008.

Gift of Life’s Threads of Love memorial quilts are celebrating the 20th anniversary this year.

More information is available at donors1.org/quilt.