The 7 shirts is a pattern I've saved. Bonnie Hunter's free patterns would work well. Also check Jo's Country Junction. She also has free patterns & has done shirt quilts. I'm not sure where I saw it but there is a Brick Wall pattern that would also work well. 3-1/2 x 6-1/2 recs sewn end to end with every other row offset to the 1st. Make as large as you want.
Sorry for your family's loss.