Sister Mary E. Quinn
1925-2008
Her friends described Sister Mary Quinn as gentle, tranquil, peaceful, helpful, mindful of others, generous, and welcoming—one who always kept herself busy, and who served others well. In her last years in the 1 Maria Community, it was she who, in the morning, put the coffee on for the other sisters. She went about quietly, performing services for others, not seeking recognition for anything that she did.
The daughter of James Joseph and Helen (Davis) Quinn, she was born in Detroit on July 19, 1925, and baptized Mary Edith. Three brothers (James, William, and Patrick) and a sister (Margaret) preceded her in the family, and she was followed by another sister (Kathleen).
James Quinn was from Waterford, Ireland, and Helen Davis was from Chepstow, England. In her short interview, Sister Mary does not say when they came to the United States or how they met. Her record shows her father as being Catholic, and her mother as Protestant. For all of his life, James Quinn worked for the Detroit Edison Company as a fireman, providing a good living for his large family; and his wife created a happy, comfortable home for him and their six children.
Shortly after Mary’s birth, James Quinn moved his family into St. Brigid Parish, where the Adrian Dominican Sisters taught. Mary’s grade school years were spent at St. Brigid School and she attributes her vocation to her Adrian Dominican teachers. She graduated from eighth grade in June 1940 and proceeded on to a public school, Tappan Intermediate.
In 1941 the family moved into St. Rose Parish, and she finished her education at Southeastern High School, just a few blocks from their home. During her high school years, Mary worked part-time at the J. L. Hudson Company as a saleswoman. She received her diploma from Southeastern High School in June, 1944.
Mary had become a capable operator of calculators and IBM machines. For four years after graduation, she worked in several Detroit offices. The last place was the Detroit Edison Company, and she left her employment there shortly before she entered the postulancy in Adrian on June 27, 1948, about three weeks before her twenty-third birthday.
With her group, she received the habit and her religious name (Sister Margaret Kathleen, a name taken for her two sisters) on December 30, and professed her first vows on December 31, 1949. During that year, in May, her mother died.
Very shortly after profession, in January 1950, Sister Mary was sent to St. John Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan, where she helped out until August 1951. She was then sent to the bishop’s residence in Des Moines, Iowa, until December.
Her teaching ministry began in December 1951 with almost fourteen years in Chicago. Her first mission was St. Rita School, where she taught first grade for almost six years. She mentioned the help that she received in her teaching ministry, and said:
What I marvel at now, looking back, was how we had master teachers to mentor us. After open placement, they never had the kind of help that we had, no matter what grade they taught.
During these years, she studied during the summers, and in July 1955 Siena Heights College (now University) in Adrian awarded her a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in history and minors in English and French.
In 1957 she was transferred to Queen of Angels where she taught in the first and middle grades for five years. She then spent three years at St. Laurence School with middle grade students.
The next four years were in Michigan with middle grade and junior high students: a year at St. Joseph in Sault Ste. Marie, and three years at Holy Name in Detroit. As a result of summer study, in 1963 she received a certificate from the theological institute held at Mount St. Mary in St. Charles, Illinois. During summer 1967, in August, she lost her father.
In 1969 she was assigned to Hoban-Dominican High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where she taught history and religion for two years. In her interview she said:
Sister Grace Ellen Minten was the principal of the school and superior of the house. She was wonderful; and, knowing that the school was going to close in two years, she had a wonderful plan in place.
When Hoban-Dominican High School closed, Sister Mary returned to the elementary level at Precious Blood in Detroit for a year. In August 1971, as a result of summer study, the University of Detroit awarded her a Master’s Degree with a major in history and minor in education.
During the 1972-73 school year, she spent seven months at SS. Paul and Augustine School in Washington, DC, and finished the year at a public elementary school. During summer 1972 she earned a certificate enabling her to teach social studies.
In 1973 she returned for a year to the high school level at Montini High School in Lombard, Illinois. Her last year in the teaching ministry was with junior high students at St. Mary Elementary School in Winchester, Maine. During summer 1975 she earned a certificate in government from George Washington University in Washington, DC.
She returned to Chicago in fall 1975 as school secretary at St. Martin School, a position that she held for three years. For the next three years she was again in Washington, DC, where she served as office manager for the national office of the LCWR (Leadership Council of Women Religious). In 1981 she served in Adrian for a year as administrative assistant at Weber Center.
Again in Chicago, she ministered in the Teacher Placement Office of the Chicago Archdiocese for eleven years. Sister Georgina Luznicki also served there. At the wake, she said:
Sister Mary was gentle, not timid, but she had a gentle strength. There was a joy about her that I saw as contentment. She was refined and a lady. Some of the people called her “Lady Mary.” She would never carry a Walgreen shopping bag when there was a Marshall Field or Lord and Taylor one available.
She worked with the Teacher Personnel Department, mainly with school principals who needed to hire teachers. Time and again, Sister Mary would share with the principals prospective teachers who might be a good fit for the school. A listing of available teachers was sent to the schools; however, the Adrian Dominicans called Sister Mary rather than wait for a list. Principals often spoke about her patience and kindness.
She was an independent person and one who was very private. She took public transportation to the office from St. Rita Convent. Several of us would offer to give her a ride home. Many times she would refuse, knowing that the public transportation was more reliable for her schedule than waiting for us.
Often her work took her to other floors in the Chancery Building. They all knew her as that charming nun who worked on the first floor and often called her “Lady Mary.” She avoided all fuss, and was difficult to surprise.
When she decided to retire from the School Office she kept it quiet; however, the word traveled fast. When the day arrived for her to leave, she agreed to let someone give her a ride home. One of the priests was a good friend of the local Funeral Director; and, as we stood on the walkway to wave to Sister Mary, a black limousine came to a stop. There was a flash of surprise on her face which quickly changed. Someone called, “Gotcha, Mary,” as she gave her Lord and Taylor bags to the driver and stepped into the back seat. We all clapped and waved, and she returned the wave. The sisters at St. Rita were told of the ride, and were waiting on the steps of the convent to welcome her.
Sister Lila Watt said:
I lived with Sister Mary for fifteen years, and want to point out how difficult it was for her to take two different forms of public transportation to work, particularly in bad weather. She left for work before we did, and was the last one to arrive home in the evening.
Mary knew that we loved sweets and thought nothing of inconveniencing herself to carry two shopping bags of special treats to the convent many nights. We all enjoyed living with her at St. Rita in Chicago. May God bless her!
Sister Mary took a year’s sabbatical leave in 1993. She spent part of the year in New York, and the balance of the year at St. Rita Convent in Chicago.
In 1994 she was again in Adrian, living in the Dominican Life Center/Regina Residence and serving as an assistant in the Congregational archives, a position that she held for four years.
She retired in November 1998, which was also the year of her Golden Jubilee. During her first years of retirement, she taped the wakes for Sister Catherine Podvin, who was ill for a time and unable to attend the wakes, and who writes the profiles of the sisters who die.
When asked about travel, Sister Mary said:
I didn’t travel extensively, but I did go to some beautiful places for retreat—the Jesuit place in Boise, Idaho, and Gloucester, Massachusetts. Lake Tahoe was one of the places I always wanted to see, and I was there for only four days in March when an impending snowstorm cut my stay short.
When asked about her siblings, she said: “Presently my three older brothers are deceased. My older sister Peggy and younger sister Kathleen are still living.”
Her reluctance to seek recognition was shown when asked what accomplishments made her the most proud. Her answer was, “I don’t know of any; just a long wonderful life and the ability to do varied things.”
As the blessings in her life, she listed her family and her good friends.
She loved to read and kept abreast of what was happening locally, in the nation, and in the world.
Illness came upon her and in February 2007 she moved into the Maria Building, where she remained until her death on July 2, 2008, two weeks before her eighty-third birthday.
Sister Mary Pat Dewey of the Holy Rosary Mission Chapter Office, representing Sister Joan Sustersic, Prioress, opened the wake-remembrance service held for Sister Mary Quinn on July 7 in St. Catherine Chapel. She welcomed those who had come to bid Sister Mary goodbye, and extended sympathy to Sister Mary’s sisters Peggy Chaney and Kathleen Baron; her nieces Kathleen Cheney-White and her husband Bruce, Barbara Kensey, Maureen, Helen Barr, and Margaret King; her nephews John Quinn and his wife Elma, and Steven King.
Sister Mary Pat summarized Sister Mary Quinn’s life and ministry, and spoke of her last days.
On Saturday, June 21, Sister Mary enjoyed a wonderful Diamond Jubilee celebration. Her family was here, and she had a wonderful time… Just one week later, on June 28, she suffered a stroke. She was sent to the hospital for evaluation, but there was nothing that could be done. Their recommendation was that we keep her comfortable. And that we did. Her sister Peggy, nieces, and many friends came to be with her.
Sister Mary’s funeral liturgy was held on July 8. Father Roland Calvert, OSFS, was the presider, and Sister Joella Miller was the homilist. Sister Mary had chosen the readings, and Sister Joella’s homily enlarged on them. One of the readings from Luke 1:39-47 was the story of the Blessed Virgin’s visit to her cousin, St. Elizabeth, and her praise of God for the blessings bestowed upon her that we call the Magnificat.
Sister Mary Quinn shared in these blessings through her gentle spirit, her faithfulness, her simplicity of life, her kindness and helpfulness. She shared her gifts and talents in whatever way she could.
Sister Mary Quinn shared in these blessings through her gentle spirit, her faithfulness, her simplicity of life, her kindness and helpfulness. She shared her gifts and talents in whatever way she could.
In the fifty-ninth year of her profession as an Adrian Dominican, Sister Mary went quietly home to God. Sister Georgina had a fanciful vision of God sending for Sister Mary’s last journey, not a black limousine, but a white one. However she arrived in eternity, she is now reunited with her beloved parents, brothers, and friends, and has entered into that glorious realm where joy reigns forever.