For more than 17 years, Proud Mary has kept her satisfied customers in stitches.

Need a comfortable fabric or appropriate pattern? Auburn’s close-knit quilting and sewing community knows where to go.

“Some of the customers are very special to me,” said Mary Stanton, taking a break between sales at her popular fabric and gift store in downtown Auburn. “My customers have been great to me.

“It’s been a place to get to know people, to serve them and help them with whatever they need,” she said. “It’s a very personal business.”

The Calico Cat and Bernina Too! has become a go-to place, a vast resource center for creative quilters and advanced doll makers, and a supply and advice haven for the ordinary fiber artist.

From books to classes, gifts to kits, sewing machines to punch needle embroidery, the shop is as versatile as it is creative.

“I’ve been very pleased to have this business,” said Stanton, looking back at her second career after fulfilling her younger days as a librarian. “Without the help from by husband (Bob), I would not have been here. … It was a lot of hard work, but it has been very gratifying.”

And, at times, all too consuming.

After a long and successful run, Stanton the businesswoman has decided to move on. Come February, she plans to retire. Her shop is up for sale.

“I love all this, but I’m ready to take time for myself and my family,” said Stanton, 64. “I want the time to do other things – on my time, not the store’s schedule.”

Stanton plans to officially retire on Feb. 3, the exact date in 1969 when she began working as a children’s librarian in Southern California. She has worked continuously since that day – 40-plus years – with the exception of three weeks in 1984. She has taken only three “real” vacations in past 17 years as an entrepreneur.

As a librarian, she enjoyed finding books for readers. As a businesswoman, she enjoyed finding fabric for others.

“Work has been a major part of my life,” Stanton said, “and now I want to play.”

Stanton’s loss will be greatly felt in the community that has grown accustomed to her wisdom in the world of fabric and quilting.

“I was surprised. She’s going to be missed,” said Phyllis Des Rosier, one of Stanton’s first customers. “She asked me the other day, ‘Well, are you mad at me?’ And I replied, ‘I’m mad, but I’m also glad.’ “

For Stanton, it has been a mission of passion and perseverance. She has survived the good and hard times, including the recent passing of her husband to cancer.

She first opened the doors in a tiny shop tucked along Main Street on Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1992. The shop offered only 600 bolts of fabrics, some books, notions, patterns and classes. The hours were long and steady.

As business grew, the store’s name, address and inventory changed. Her reputable store took shape and found its niche.

In 1999, Stanton’s business was selected as a “Top Shop” by American Patchwork and Quilting, a Better Homes and Garden publication.

Today, Stanton’s 5,000-square-foot store – located at 201 Auburn Way N. the last nine years – is filled with cotton fabric, supplies, sewing machines and ideas.

Stanton knew what her customers wanted and tailored those needs over time. The customers appreciated her fair and straightforward ways of conducting business.

“For one thing, she has a good business head on her shoulders. She’s knows what she’s doing,” Des Rosier said. “She’s says what she thinks. She’s honest, and she’s always very helpful. She’s good to all of her customers.”

As far as Stanton is concerned, her business meets social needs. Her store, for instance, holds regular classes by creative teachers focused on basic quilt making skills, projects, applique, advanced piecing, dolls, embroidery and clothing. Featured national teachers also come regularly to teach quilting and dolls.

As Stanton explains, quilting remains a great hobby for groups, quilt guilds and the solo seamstress.

Good at her craft, Stanton deflects the praise, pointing out that her customers are far more accomplished quilters.

“It’s not too difficult to learn,” Stanton said of craft. “You need patience … and you need to learn not to be too hard on yourself.”

In retirement, Stanton wants to devote more time to her garden, her many grandchildren and personal sewing projects. She also wants to commit more time to community service. She has been a Soroptimist member since 1986.

“Mary is a great inspiration in our community,” said Sarah Miller, City of Auburn’s emergency preparedness manager and Soroptimist member. “She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude, even during difficult times.

“Her efforts to make our community a better place to live have been noticed by many,” Miller added. “Mary is one of those people who has truly made a difference in the lives of others.”