Breast cancer can't stop quilt shop owner

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Story Published: Mar 3, 2009 at 5:54 PM PST

By Tom Adams KVAL News

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PLEASANT HILL, Ore. - If you build it, they will come.

Words from a famous 1980's movie about baseball -- and the business philosophy of a woman who's not letting cancer kill her goals - or her dreams.

Unemployment is inching toward 12 percent, and we're in the deepest recession in 25 years. Yes -- the perfect time to start a business.

"You think, oh jeez, especially with the economy the way it is, am I crazy for opening a store right now," asks Jeannette Singler, new business proprietor in Pleasant Hill.

The former hospital triage nurse may be crazy, but she knows her clientele. Singler says, "My theory is for quilters anyway, if you built it, they will come."

Jeannette moved to Lane County in November from Northeast Oregon. It was 5 years to the month after she lost her husband, Joseph, to liver cancer.

She's now battling breast cancer herself, shuffling radiation treatments and running her new business: Country Bumpkin Quilts.

"You can't let life scare you," Singler tells KVAL. "If you get scared, then you don't do anything."

Her sister-in-law, Becky Hanson of Veneta, says, "She just doesn't let anything get her down. Jeannette figures that, you know, if something happens, you just move on."

Singler states that in these tough times, maybe her step of faith is not such a gamble.

"I think this type of business helps people. It's an outlet for people during stressful times," explains Singler.

Hanson says with Jeannette now closer to the rest of the family (after the move), her admiration for her has grown even more.

"I think she could be a real inspiration to other people who have gone through cancer--or anything," says Hanson.

And Singler think her husband would be proud.

"You know, Joseph was such an inspiration," she said. "He was like, if you want to try something, try it. I'm behind you."

And while life may have tossed her some scraps, Jeannette Singler is determined to make a fabulous quilt.

Country Bumpkin Quilts opened on Jan. 2. The store is located on Highway 58 in Pleasant Hill.

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