Obituary of Anne Fitzgerald Quinlan

Anne Quinlan, 83, wife, mother, gma, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, left this world peacefully on December 3, 2023. She was surrounded by family and passed away at home after a 2-year battle with cancer. She will spend this Christmas with Jesus in heaven and reunited with all that have gone before her.

She was born to Gerald and Abigail Fitzgerald in March of 1940 in New York. Anne graduated high school from Sacred Heart Academy then went on to graduate from Stonehill College where she studied to become a teacher. It was at Stonehill where she met the love of her life, Paul Quinlan, whom she married in 1963. Paul remained her lifelong love even after his death in August of 1992. Together, they had 4 children: Kelly Morten of Forest Park, IL, Scott (Anne) Quinlan of Scottsdale, AZ, Katy (Kornel) Balon of Nokomis, FL and Shannon Quinlan of St. Petersburg, FL. Paul’s job brought the family from Massachusetts to Illinois in 1976. In 2014, she joined her 2 youngest daughters in FL and eventually settled in Venice, FL.

Anne taught middle school grades at St. Joan of Arc Church in Lisle, IL for 25 years. She stayed busy with endless sewing projects in her work as a seamstress especially during prom and homecoming season for the school kids. She played cards in various bridge groups and maintained many friendships along the way. She returned home to Mattapoisett, MA with her children every summer to reunite with all of her family and extended network of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She gifted her love for Mattapoisett to her children and grandchildren and countless others that visited over the years. “Mattapoisett, it’s Special” and Anne made sure everyone knew it!

Anne is survived by her her brother, Michael (Anne) Fitzgerald of Mission Viejo, CA, her 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Paul Fitzgerald, her sister, Kathleen Maune, her cousin and best friend, Marylee Barrett and her dear cousin, Miles “Tony” Murray. Anne’s cremated remains will be buried in a private ceremony in Mattapoisett, MA in July of 2024. In lieu of flowers, please visit your local dollar store and thrift store for all your Christmas needs. In Anne’s eyes, the dollar store, goodwill thrift store and Christmas were the best of the best! Those stores are really going to miss her “purchasing power” in the years to come!