Seamstress uses talents to raise funds in honor of friend

Date: 9/8/2009

By Natasha Clark, Assistant Managing Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW Joanne Zemanek is once again raising money for the Rays of Hope Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk, set to begin on Oct. 25 at Temple Beth El in Springfield, is a cause close to her heart in part to her close friend, Ann Hegarty.

"She is the bravest person I know," Zemanek said about her friend's battle with breast cancer almost three years ago.

In honor of Hegarty, Zemanek will once again lend her sewing services to anyone who is willing to make a reasonable contribution. She is willing to do seam repairs, button replacements, simple valances, curtains, patching, easy Halloween costumes and bridal headpieces.

Zemanek has a bachelor's degree in clothing and textiles with a concentration in clothing design and a minor in art. She figured this is the best way to put her talents to good use.

"She is the hardest working person I know," Hegarty said. "She does this out of the goodness of her heart."

But Zemanek insists that it is Hegarty who is so amazing.

"When she found out [she had breast cancer] she had to have emergency surgery the next week. She jumped right in," Zemanek said.

And cancer took Hegarty's life in more unexpected directions than one. She is in remission, but as a result of chemotherapy, she developed neuropathy (numbness due to damage of the sensory nerve) in her fingertips.

"I could not safely do dental hygiene work anymore," Hegarty said of the position she held for more than 25 years. "So I started a master's program at Smith College for social work."

But she looks at the change as a gift. "I think it was kind of just a good way to move in another direction that I may not have thought of on my own. If left to my own devices I probably wouldn't have. This is something I really wanted to do when I was young but did not pursue."

Hegarty added that her husband Phil and two teenage sons have been supportive. She's grateful for the life lesson she can be to the 16- and 17-year-olds.

"It's good to see that learning is a life long process. It's never too late to reinvent yourself," she said. "Live one day at a time."

Zemanek will accept project orders between Sept. 10 and Oct. 10.

Any persons interested in making a donation in exchange for sewing services can contact Zemanek at 827-7055 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.