An Unforgetable Cookbook In Memory Of Maggie Smillie

SANDWICH- It has been just over a year since 19-year-old Margaret (Maggie) Grace Smillie lost her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Although a year has passed, the young girl’s courage and spirit has not been forgotten by those who knew her.
As a tribute to Maggie and in an effort to carry on her battle to beat cystic fibrosis, Patricia Marks, co-owner of Unforgettable Hair in Merchants Square, has published a cookbook filled with more than 300 recipes. Called “Unforgettable Recipes By Unforgettable Hair,” the book sells for $16, with all of the proceeds from the sales going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in memory of Maggie.
Ms. Marks estimates that some 200 people, friends, relatives, and even people who had never met Maggie, contributed recipes to this endeavor. “The recipes range from soups and appetizers to entrees to breads, desserts, and even sauces,” she said. A section of the book, called This and That, includes the instructions for creating a hairstyle that has come to be known as the Maggie Braid. Ms. Marks once styled Maggie’s hair before one of her school dances. It was the first time she had done this particular style of braid. Since then, whenever she creates this style for one of her clients, she calls it the Maggie Braid.
Ms. Marks thought of the idea for the cookbook after listening to her clients share recipes while they were having their hair styled. And it seemed appropriate to sell a cookbook as a way to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Maggie’s mother, Janet B. Smillie, recalled how Maggie loved to help out in the kitchen, from serving as prep cook to baking cakes for friends.
The book, which is dedicated to the memory of Maggie, also contains quotes and inspirational messages.
In her short life, Maggie managed to reach some goals and to realize some dreams. Her  graduation from Sandwich High School in 2006 was one of those goals, and it was a lung transplant performed in April 2006 that helped to make the dream a reality. That year, Maggie’s father, Matthew, and close friend of the family Deborah A. Gannett donated a part of their lungs to Maggie. The 12-hour operation was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital. 
On Saturday, June 1, 2006, Maggie Smillie walked across the stage and accepted her diploma along with her friends and classmates from the Class of 2006.
Ms. Smillie once recalled Maggie’s five months of good health following her lung transplant, and said that the operation gave her daughter the opportunity to be a teenager and to participate in all of the activities that her healthy peers did.
The summer after graduation, Maggie spent days at the beach with her friends and went to concerts. But when Maggie began experiencing one infection after another and some complications arose after a surgery that was performed to ensure the health of her new lungs, her battle with cystic fibrosis returned. Although both of Maggie’s previous donors had offered to donate again, doctors advised against it.
Maggie died last November in her home, surrounded by members of her family.
Ms. Marks said this cookbook, filled with the everyday kind of recipes that anybody can make will make a great holiday present. For those looking to give more than a cookbook as a present, Ms. Marks also has gifts baskets available for sale, again with proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The baskets contain the cookbook, along with cookies and candles, and sell for $38.
In addition, Ms. Marks is holding a raffle. For $1 per ticket, entrants have the opportunity to win a one-hour facial. Called the European Basic, the facial includes a cleansing, warm steam, and calming facial massage. Tickets are available at Unforgettable Hair in Merchants Square, and the drawing will be held just before Christmas. The cookbook and gift baskets are also on sale at the salon.