Quilt artist Jean Ray Laury, a key national figure in the renaissance of quilting during the 1970s and 1980s and an internationally known fiber artist and author, died Wednesday. She was 82. Her husband, Frank, has said a memorial service will be held in the future.

Jean Ray Laury was a freelance designer, quilter, and writer with one-woman, and group shows at museums, galleries and universities across the country. Her quilts are in both private and museum collections.

Jean made her first quilt in 1956 and went on to write numerous books about quilt making and taught classes throughout the world.  Her quilt, Barefoot and Pregnant , was considered one of the twentieth century's best American Quilts. Her name appears in the book 88 Leaders in the Quilt World Today and she was elected into the Quilter's Hall of Fame in 1982.

She was a treasure who will be greatly missed.

To learn more about Jean, click here.