By Heather Posey, Staff Writer
The staff of Sunshine’s Hair Place in Long Beach put their work on hold Monday afternoon to have a luncheon at Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ in honor of their friend and fellow hair stylist, Krysti Miller, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Miller joined the Sunshine’s Hair Place in July 1989. She is, according to owner Arrita Lepire, a very popular and very busy stylist. Yet when Miller found out she had breast cancer, the news was not only tough for her, but for those around her as well.
“This was devastating to her patrons and her fellow workers,” said Lepire.
In the midst of dealing with the shock of Miller’s condition and watching her deal with the cancer over the past six months, her co-workers decided to do something special for her. So the salon decided to put together a quilt for their friend, putting together pieces made be Sunshine’s 14 hairdressers, two manicurists and receptionist.
“Each of us made a square of our choice for the quilt,” Lepire said. “Our very talented Sandy Mills put the squares together and finished the quilt.”
They then surprised Mills as they presented her with the quilt during the Monday luncheon. With photos and sewn-in notes in the fabric, each member of the salon achieved its desire to do something personal in each of the quilt’s squares. Miller was touched by the gesture, crying with joy.
“She was so happy, she just cried and cried,” said Lepire.
And the staff was equally pleased that they were able to do something for their co-worker.
“[The quilt is filled with] all personal things,” said Lepire. “It’s something she could look at and always remember us by.”
Within the past few months, Miller has already had surgery and is currently going through chemotherapy.
Sunshine’s Hair Place is located at 3934 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach on the corner of Atlantic and Carson.
