My condolences on your loss - it's hard to lose one's partner.....
With reference to the quilt/clothing idea - someone on this board posted a picture of a quilt made with "grandpa's" shirts for a grandson - it featured sections of his most favorite shirts as the body of the penguins in the blocks. \While I'm not saying that this is the right idea for you, I wanted to put it out there that you don't have to do a traditional block if something else is more appropriate or appealing.