Christy Sconsa - In Memoriam
Sad news from So. CA, Christy passed away. Christy was a Giant Angora breeder who was very active in California Angora Rabbit Society (CARS) in So. CA. Most of us knew her and her best friend/animal partner Chata; they were very active and competitive in rabbit shows in the 80s to mid 90s. In the last ten years or so, they switched their focus to Angora Goats. Randy and Allen frequently had contact with them. Here is a photo of Chata (L) and Christy (R) in the Orange County Fair last year.
Randy and Allen remembered Christy:
"Few people at Christy's age were as active and influential in their enthusiasm. Do you know anyone who, at over 70 years of age, would travel to goat shows throughout the summer, set-up a large farm display, show her animals, sell her work, and find time to create beautiful fiber art all in a few days? Christy Sconsa did just that. Annually, at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, California, for example, Christy would travel with her animals and set-up a two-week long display for fair guests on the fiber industry. An exhibition of twenty colored and white Angora Goats, six Angora rabbits, and a plethora of gorgeous hand-knit, hand-spun garments and yarns would adorn her booth. For hours upon hours, Christy would spin, groom, and make conversations with the "animal-foreign" Orange County fair-goer. If you have ever tried introducing agriculture to southern California you know how challenging and repetitive Christy's job was! We will always remember Christy giving her daily speech and presentation at the Orange County Fair to an audience of many people in the arena, as well. Her distinct, rather deep voice, would echo with passion and excitement as she spoke about her goats, her fiber, and her art. Her eyes would light up behind her large glasses, introducing agriculture, history, and artistry. It is no shock that her audience was captivated and in the end, more educated on the topic of natural fiber, specifically mohair, Christy's favorite fiber. I am certain that some fair guests returned each year to see Christy on her spinning wheel, pet her friendly goats, or run a hand over her soft, beautiful work.
Christy, our advocate, fellow breeder, and most of all, friend, you will be forever missed, and forever an icon among us."
posted by Northern California Angora Guild @ 8:30 AM
2 Comments:
At 6:03 PM,
Northern California Angora Guild said…
The following comment came from CARS secretary Pat Duggan:
Christy was not only a long time member of the California Angora Rabbit Society, but also the person responsible for rescuing the club in the mid-1980's ('87?) when our CARS president and several board members suddenly resigned. She has been responsible for holding the club together all these years. Christy called an impromptu meeting at one of the Pomona rabbit shows and insisted those of us showing our angoras step up to the plate and volunteer for club board or officer positions. Christy volunteered to rescue the club treasury, which was in disarray at the time. She insisted that I take over as secretary. The two of us have held those same club officer positions since that time. Christy later asked that I take over as newsletter editor. She was responsible for recruiting several past club presidents and board members, including Jennifer Turley, Cris Godfrey, Mike Laskowski, Chata Clayton and Carolyn Phillips. Christy volunteered to be chairperson for the club's demonstration booth at the L.A. County Fair in the late 1980s and remained in that position until she moved to her new Terra Bella home about two years ago. She also took over as chairperson for the spinning contest at the L.A. county fair for several years until her move to Terra Bella. Thank you Christy, for holding the club together all these years. How will we do the jobs without your guidance?
Pat Duggan
Secretary
C.A.R.S.
At 8:02 AM,
Auntie C said…
I met Christy only one time, at the 1991 Pomona ARBA convention, but she impressed me with her graciousness and talent. I'll never forget that gorgeous black angora stole she wore!
We're all poorer for the loss of the likes of Christy.
Christine O.
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