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Lois Quinn Obituary
Mrs. Quinn and her husband last June celebrated their 52 years of marriage, during which they made homes in Edgewood and Carolina, RI, Rochester NY, Washington, D.C. and currently at South Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach, FL.
Mrs. Quinn was co-founder with her husband of the Chips Quinn Scholars Program, named in memory of their oldest son, John C. Quinn, Jr. who died in an auto accident in 1990. The CQS Program, now funded by the Freedom Forum, offers training, internships and scholarships to college journalism students of color - African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans in an effort to bring greater diversity to the nation's newsrooms. There are now more than 900 CQS graduates, the larger majority of whom are in news related careers across the USA.
She was born in Quincy, MA, a daughter of the late Richard B. and Hazel (Armstrong) Richardson where she grew up in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. She graduated from nursing school at Jeffrey Hale Hospital in Quebec City in 1950 and joined her sister, the late Norma Holdredge in Providence where she served as an operating room nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital. When she married in 1953 she joined her husband in Washington, D.C., where he was a reporter for the Providence Journal and she continued her nursing career.
With the start of her family, Mrs. Quinn began a full time career as a homemaker, mother and executive partner as the news career took the family back to Providence, to Rochester, NY with Gannett Co., Inc. and to Washington, D.C for the launch of USA TODAY. With retirment in 1990, the Quinns settled in Cocoa Beach with part time visits to the family homestead in Carolina, RI, where the family restored the two hundred year old Carolina Mill and many of its 32 deteriorating buildings as an historic and community center.
Besides her husband she is survived by three children, Lo-anne Quinn Cellar and Christopher A. Quinn both of Carolina, R.B. Quinn of Nashville, TN; two grandchildren, Stephen and Amelia Cellar of Carolina; four sisters, Jean Garneau and Marilyn Giles of Ottawa, Canada, Janice Haines of Corrales, NM and Barbara Meyer of Rock Hill, SC.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. from the Carolina Mill, 6 Carolina Mill Lane (off Rt. 112). Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church, Carolina Back Road at 11 a.m. Burial will be in White Brook Cemetery, Carolina, followed by a gathering of friends and neighbors at the Carolina Mill. VISITING HOURS: Tuesday 2-8 p.m. in the Carolina Mill. Memorial gifts may be sent to South County Hospital Healthcare Endowment, 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879 in Mrs. Quinn's memory would be appreciated. Arrangements with JAMES J. GALLOGLY & SONS, Funeral Directors, (401)331-7608.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lois Quinn
mr aba kano
October 3, 2005
a great loss to the comunity i miss someone like him
Geneva Overholser
September 19, 2005
Ah, what a classy lady Loie was. John, my heart goes out to you and all your family. Please know how many of us across the country are with you all in spirit in these difficult times.
Elfi Fliess
September 10, 2005
In a week when all the lights went out along the coast in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama,
in Rhode Island the sun lost its luster and the moon its silver lining.
A genuine mensch was taken from us.
Loie, I have always tried to emulate you.
Love you, too.
Aline and Paul Flynn
September 10, 2005
Of all the wonderful Loie Quinn memories from as far back as 1966, the most memorable are her examples of a faithful, fun, partner in life for JCQ. Our prayers are with you all.
Craig Wilson
September 8, 2005
It was 1984 and I was a loaner at USA Today, fresh from Saratoga Springs and scared as hell. I don't remember all the details now, but opera tickets from John Quinn's office came floating down to the newsroom and before I knew it I found myself sitting next to Loie Quinn at the Kennedy Center that evening. On the other side of me was Jeannie Williams, a Quinn pal from Rochester days.
Once the opera was over our odd little trio moved on to the bar at the Foggy Bottom Cafe where we stayed until the Fat Lady sang for the second time that night.
I still remember the evening as one of the most pleasant I've had in the 21 years I've lived in Washington.
I also remember I was very happy I lived just across the street.
Sanders LaMont
September 8, 2005
John and family,
Your loss is shared by the thousands of people whose lives were touched by the smiles and kindness of Loie through the years.
We will always remember her kindness to us years ago as visitors in Rochester, where the warmth of your home made us welcome.
Through all the years I with Gannett, and long after, she was a constant and supportive friend every time we chanced to meet, whether in the lobby of a hotel in Washington, a Freedom Forum session in San Francisco, or at Rusty's on the beach.
Her kindness and constant smile lives on with those of us lucky enough to have known a great and gentle lady. As the Holly Hunter character in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" said, she was strictly "bona fide."
You are in our prayers.
Your friends,
Sanders and Pat
Amelia Quinn Cellar
September 7, 2005
Elegant. Strong-willed. Compassionate. Wise. Loie was the epitome of class: she perfectly balanced her strong will with her feminine grace. Because of her, I have learned to embrace my stubbornness and my pride, my resolve and my independence—for these are the qualities that make me a strong and passionate individual, just like Loie.
My most vivid memories of Loie are of her laughing loudly to one of Kiffer’s jokes, or singing along to “Hey Jude” and “Sweet Caroline” in the car on the way home from lunch. During my frequent visits to the Folly, I treasured our nightly routine: Out-smarting each other at Jeopardy and then speculating over the mysteries of Law and Order. But she passed her wisdom on to me in more ways than answering Jeopardy questions. In fact, her lessons resound in my head almost daily. Salt your fries while they’re still hot. Let the men open the door for you. Don’t eat chocolate on an empty stomach. Be good to your mother. And one that I still need to learn, wear sunscreen.
Along with valuing my family and friends, Loie taught me how to value myself. I frequently visit the Big House wearing old sweatpants and extra large Freedom Forum t-shirts, my hair messy and un-brushed .But, no matter how I looked, Loie always told me how beautiful I was. In fact, the last time I saw her, I popped into the Big House wearing a simple green nightgown. She thought I looked so beautiful that she whipped her disposable camera out of her purse and took three pictures of me. I looked simple and disheveled, but for simply being myself, she loved me unconditionally.
Through Loie’s example, I have learned to "Dance like nobody's watching; love like I've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; and live like it's heaven on earth."
She has showed me how to adapt to life’s unseen obstacles, to have faith in God and in my own abilities as a strong woman capable of great things. She has provided me with the confidence to blaze my own trail in life, yet at the same time, still allow Stephen to open the door for me.
Stephen Collins Cellar
September 7, 2005
I love you more.
Every time I left the house next door, I trumped Loie’s “I love you” with “I love you more”. It was a friendly competition between her and her grandson. I can’t even recall how it began, but I remember her smile every time we began the little game. I always got the last word. She always let me win.
When I visited the Quinn house, Loie was always my first priority. Each visit, I raced immediately to her side. The exchange of hugs and kisses were first on the agenda, and I think, were always her favorite part of the day.
I remember the age where I was regulated to Loie’s personal honor guard. Trained and disciplined to open every car door, to rise when she came and left the table, to hold the door for the ladies, and to come racing across the yard to help her up the hill when she arrived home. In those days, time was regulated between lunches out, and Loie’s nap time – two hours of suspense peering through the window, waiting for her to awaken so I could join her once more.
On Sunday, John asked me what my favorite memory of Loie was. Honestly, it’s hard to remember. But I can recall Loie’s favorite memory of me.
At a young age, I was carrying out my daily round of chores: taking out the trash. As I skipped merrily across the lawn, caught up in the beautiful summer day, I realized that, much to my chagrin, I had forgotten the trash bags! Catching myself mid-skip, I trudge to trudge back to the house, only to see Loie in her kitchen window, bursting from the seams with tears of laughter. It was a moment of humor and embarrassment that shared between only the she and I – which she shared with everyone, every chance she got. I haven’t forgotten the trash bags since, and she’ll certainly never let me forget that day.
Today, I want only one thing for everyone here in attendance. I wish that each and every one of you could share, even if just a fraction, the relationship I had with my grandmother.
The next time someone tells you they love you, smile and say, “I love you more”
Loie, I love you more.
Jay Gallagher
September 7, 2005
Dear John,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of Loie from Emily and me. I remember Loie most as the vivacious hostess at your great parties in Rochester and know she has been a pillar of strength for you in good times and bad since.
I know you feel blessed to have had so many years together and I wish you the best in the future - Jay Gallagher
Barbara Meyer
September 7, 2005
Dear John and Family. Richard and I are so sorry for your loss. Lois Faye has always been in my prayers and will remain there..as will many memories I have of our lives together. Love and hugs to each of you. Barbara Meyer
Myron Arledge
September 6, 2005
There are so many stories about Mrs. Quinn, but since I am a professional.....
I could always find Mrs. Quinn at National airport.- the hat. And under the hat, a smile. When she got in the car, she would say, "Oh Myron, what a beautiful day." Sometimes it was not. That is how I remember her, and how she inspired me. She always looked for the beauty in the day, or in people. She wanted to talk about Zoraida and my sons. Her passion was family and friends.
I addressed her as "Mrs. Quinn, " even when she preferred "Loie. She had such grace and dignity that demanded respest.
The hug and "I love you Myron" are no more, but her inspiration will be forever more.
The world and my life are richer this day because Mrs. Quinn lived. I take the occasion of her parting to give thanks to God for her life.
Myron W. Arledge
Arlington Limousine & US Sedan Service
Claude Burgett
September 6, 2005
Our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies for the loss of this wonderous lady; we share your great loss.
Claude and Susan Burgett
18 Wing Shell Lane
Hilton Head, SC 29926
Dash Parham
September 6, 2005
Hi John,
I was sorry to hear of your loss. I'll always remember Lois fondly.
Take care,
Dash Parham
David Hudson
September 6, 2005
Dear Lois Quinn family:
I am so sorry for your loss. She was such a wonderful person. I'm glad I got to meet and visit with her. I'll always cherish her memory. Take care and God Bless.
Sincerely,
David Hudson
Bill Chanin
September 6, 2005
Loie Quinn was a special lady. Those who were fortunate to know her will never forget her warmth and grace.
She was the light in John’s eyes and they enjoyed and supported each other as a team, sharing whatever life had in store during 52 years of marriage.
I was one of the fortunate ones to have known Loie and will forever remember her charm and kindness.
The thoughts and prayers of the Chanin family go out to John and the Quinn family. May the many memories of that wonderful lady who enriched so many lives be a source of comfort to you.
Gregory Lee
September 6, 2005
Lois
You were an angel to us all.
Through personal tragedy, you helped bring life to many of us who are Chips Quinn Scholars.
We consider you a mother to us all.
Your grace and spirit will always be remembered by the hundreds of children you helped nurture over the last decade.
We all love you and we owe you a big debt of gratitute.
With much love,
Gregory Lee
CQ '95
Gene Policinski
September 6, 2005
All who knew Loie were touched by her smile, her warmth and her devotion to family. We all will miss her - but also are immeasurably better for having known her and for the privilege of her friendship. Our family will keep the Quinns in our thoughts and prayers.
Dionne Wilson
September 5, 2005
I was sad to get the e-mail on Mrs. Loie Quinn. I owe the Quinns so much as a Chips Quinn scholar and Loie will be truly missed. She had four biological children, but with the Chips Quinn program she had more than 800, and we all loved her dearly.
She treated us all with great respect and in turn we all pay our respects to this great lady. The Quinn family will be in my prayers.
Dick and Elaine Thien
September 5, 2005
We have lost a dear friend, but her lessons will live with us forever. She was an elegant and kind lady who loved her family as few women have. May God hold her in the palm of His hand.
Dick and Elaine Thien
St. Louis, Mo.
Shruti Mathur
September 5, 2005
Though my craft is in words, there are no words to express the sorrow I feel at hearing of Loie's passing. I am sure that my sentiment is shared by the hundreds of other "Chipsters."
There are also no words to express the appreciation that Loie and John did for all of us...Thank you.
To the family: My thoughts and best wishes are with you. May you take comfort in knowing that so many loved Loie...and her amazing hugs! She was just the sweetest person ever, I hope to be like her, always ready with a smile and a hug.
Karen Catone
September 5, 2005
Dear Loie Quinn family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Shepherding the Chips Quinn Scholars program the past decade has provided a multitude of blessings, including the opportunity to get to know each of you more intimately.
Loving homemaker, mother, executive partner, indeed.
Although she shunned the spotlight, anyone who spent time with Loie knew she was a powerhouse of a woman.
It is hard to imagine that her work on Earth is done. She will be sorely missed.
But her loving legacy will live on through each of you -- whose character she helped to shape. Beautifully, I might add.
From that standpoint, one can see how her work is complete.
In recent years, I can't remember a time when I phoned the home that the call didn't end with Loie yelling across the room, "Love you, dear."
Love you, Loie.
We will all find comfort in knowing that, at last, you are reunited with your beloved son, Chips.
Love,
Karen and Butch Catone
Jack Marsh
September 5, 2005
Lois Quinn's devotion to her family and to John was an inspiration to me, in my role as a husband, father and grandfather. Together, Lois and John Quinn modeled how to balance the demands of an extraordinary career and responsibilities of a remarkable family -- never compromising either. I treasure the memory of every Lois Quinn hug that I received, dating back to the first hug in 1971.
With all my love to the Quinn family,
Jack Marsh
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