Fetched: December 22nd, 2008, 7:00am EST
Maggie Smillie stayed true to her name and smiled big when she received her high school diploma in June 2006.
Despite a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, she maintained a positive outlook on life and accomplished her goal.
She died at home Nov. 12 2007.
Patricia Marks, co-owner of Unforgettable Hair in Merchants Square, has published a cookbook in Maggie’s honor.
The book, published by Morris Press Cookbooks, includes 348 recipes submitted by over 200 people in town.
Marks requested recipes through word of mouth and by placing an ad in the local newspapers.
“People were coming out of the woodwork to give [the recipes] to us. It was wonderful. We really had a great response from the whole town,” Marks said.
At first, Marks wasn’t sure the book would sell. She ordered 400 copies and held her breath. To her surprise and delight, the first shipment sold out in just two months.
Marks ordered more books, which will go on sale in late January at the salon.
The book is called “Unforgettable Recipes by Unforgettable Hair,” and includes a short biography of Maggie and some inspirational quotes from philosophers like Buddha and famous chefs like Julia Childs.
The book is $16 and all proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit donor supported organization dedicated to seeking a cure for the disease and improving the quality of life for those with the disease.
Maggie’s mother Janet Smillie said she has been “amazed” by the community’s response to the cookbook. She said the book was “a nice way to remember Maggie” and a way to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis.
She said Maggie talked openly about the disease and enjoyed educating people about it.
She volunteered at many cystic fibrosis events.
Janet said Maggie’s greatest accomplishments were graduating high school and attending Cape Cod Community College for one semester.
Janet is creating a memorial scholarship fund in Maggie’s honor. She plans to award a scholarship to one Sandwich High School senior each year.
She wrote the short biography about Maggie at the beginning of the cookbook.
The book also includes illustrations by Maggie’s high school friend Jessi Magyar. Maidi Masi and Lou Barnicle designed the cover, Janice Stickles typed up the recipes, and Kathy Siranosian edited the book.
Recipes range from corn chowder, to Mexican dishes, to various entrees and deserts.
Marks said the book has attracted attention because of Maggie’s story and because “every single dime is going toward cystic fibrosis.”
She added that the recipes are easy to make and inexpensive.
“They’re good family recipes,” she said.
She said Janet has “been unbelievable throughout the whole process” of putting the cookbook together.
In June 2006, Janet’s husband Matthew and family friend Deborah Gannett donated a part of their lungs to Maggie, which kept her alive for over a year.
She felt healthy for five months before the disease returned and doctors advised against more surgery.
Marks said many of her clients have been touched by Maggie’s story.
Some of Maggie’s close friends have even requested “the Maggie braid,” a special hairstyle Marks named after her.
“[Maggie] was always an upbeat, smiley, happy person. Always had time for everyone. Just a positive person.”
Marks said Maggie’s courage, even after her death, has brought the community closer together.
“It’s so great to feel the whole community coming together. From the person who buys the cookbook to the person who put a recipe in the cookbook. All those people are a part of it. It’s just been wonderful.”
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