Loving woman who lived her faith
Published in the December 17, 2015 edition
READING — Jean H. (Baker) Quinlan – 90, of Reading, formerly of North Reading, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, December 12, 2015. She was the loving wife of the late Leo F. Quinlan.
Born in Boston on July 25, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Harlan and Kathleen (Homewood) Baker. Jean was a graduate of St. Ann’s High School in Arlington. She was an Instructor for the John T. Berry Rehabilitation Center in North Reading and also for private clients for the mentally and physically challenged in various cities. She was a resident of Reading for the past 20 years and a former resident of North Reading for 39 years. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading and St. Maria Goretti in Lynnfield.
Jean Quinlan, no matter how complicated and difficult her own life might have been at certain times, was committed to various causes and a set of principles she lived by. She was deeply rooted in her faith, which guided all of her life decisions. Always people and service–centered, she was a long–time Catholic, and participated in the church in many ways. She was a Eucharistic Minister and a Carmelite. She believed in Ecumenical and Interfaith work that lead to active involvement in programs and councils.
She was a civil rights activist, and in the 1960’s created a “Coffee House” program at Saint Theresa’s in North Reading to bring together white and African American residents to learn to get past their differences by hosting speakers and exploring issues. She was committed to cross–cultural and inter–religious values. She carried this work forward into the new century. She supported the works of the Poor Clares and went on frequent retreats at the House of Prayer in Gloucester. She was familiar with the great Christian thinkers with a strong connection to Thomas Merton and travelled to see his hermitage with a friend, a highlight of her life. Other highlights for her included seeing Desmond Tutu in person at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and visiting an ashram in India as part of her Interfaith work. She followed the works of visionary architect Buckminister Fuller, and volunteered at a special Montessori School in Roxbury Mass to help underserved children find their place in the world. She, alongside her beloved husband Lee, stayed true to beliefs, sometimes at great personal risk and challenge. She believed in taking the high road. She was a progressive liberal and steward of the planet.
Most important to her, she was the founding mother and CEO of the Quinlan Clan. Together with her husband Lee, they fulfilled a dream of having a large family. Holidays were big and camping trips were arranged annually. Jean always had time for her children and grandchildren and felt her family was the center of her life. She also had time for many close friends and was never hurried when listening to whomever she was with. Jean was a world traveler, family chronicler, photographer and archivist, baker of snicker doodles.
Family members include her loving sons, Tim Quinlan of Graniteville, VT, Steve Quinlan and wife Carol Glover of Santa Fe, NM and David Quinlan and wife Nila Loftis of San Carlos, CA; daughters, Joyce Vasapoli and husband Jack and Linda Click and her late husband Bill, all of North Reading, Robbin Godding and husband George of Manchester–By–The–Sea, Nancy Quinlan of Methuen and Terey Quinlan and husband Nelson Wolfe of San Francisco, CA; her sister, Joyce Cassinari; 15 grandchildren and 12 great–grandchildren; former daughters–in–law, Linda Whelan and Diana Ferguson.
Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Friday, Dec. 18 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Poor Clares, 445 River Road, Andover, MA 01810, Eastern Point Retreat House (House of Prayer), 37 Niles Point Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 or to Carmelite Gift Shop and Chapel, 210 Andover St., North Shore Mall, Peabody, MA 01960.
