Moira Sullivan Sullivan Cannata

Moira Sullivan Cannata passed away suddenly on September 5, 2010. She was 56 years young. Born in Dallas, Texas to Ellen B. Sullivan of Sherman, TX and William T. Sullivan, deceased, she graduated from University of Dallas, Irving, TX, with a Masters in history and continued graduate studies at Rice University Houston. After retiring from a career in banking, Moira and her loving husband, Fred Cannata, Jr., divided their time between homes in Houston and Sidney, British Columbia. Moira is survived by her mother; husband; stepson Fred Cannata, III, of Houston; stepdaughter Therese Cannata-Bowman and husband Robert; their children Francesca, Nicholas and Sophia of San Francisco; brother, John D. Sullivan and wife Cassandra of Houston; sisters Paula Schmidt and husband Peter of New Bedford, MA, and Ann Sullivan of Sherman, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

Moira was passionate about quilts and quilting. A very accomplished quilter, she was known for designing and making quilts using the smallest pieces of fabric to create masterpieces, both big and small. She was a member of the International Quilt Association and a finalist in the Quilts: A World of Beauty judged show in Houston more than a dozen times. Her most recent quilt will be on display at this year's Festival in Houston in October. Her work has also been exhibited in Canada and published in several books and magazines. She was thrilled when one of her miniature quilts was published in Magic Patch, a French patchwork magazine.

Several of Moira’s quilts will be included in an upcoming book about Texas quilts. Publication of the book will coincide with the 2011 opening of the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Texas.

Moira was also a member of the Victoria Quilters’ Guild, Victoria, BC Canada, where she loved to share her latest creations and assisted with the Guild’s baby quilt charity program. Moira was generous with her time and talent, encouraging both quilters and non-quilters to appreciate this fine art.

Moira was interviewed by The Alliance for American Quilts’ Save Our Stories project in 1999. She spoke about one of her quilts exhibited in Houston in 1998 and about her quilting life. Her generosity of spirit is so evident in the interview. As Moira said, when the interview was coming to a close, “it's the tracks you leave behind that make it so much more interesting for the people in the future.” The quilts Moira has left behind are a tribute to this wonderful artist. She will be remembered with love by her family and dear friends who benefited so much from knowing her.

Friends are invited to visit with family from 4 until 7 PM on Sunday, September 12, 2010 with a Vigil Service to begin at 5:30 PM in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, September 13, 2010 in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.