Eileen J. Quinn

With great sorrow the family of Eileen Julia Quinn of Walpole and Norwood, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida announces her passing on March 6, 2024.

Her life has spanned more than a century.  Born in 1922 in Chicago, she was the fourth of eight children of Patrick and Kathryn Riordan. 

Eileen was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the Coast Guard where she met and married her husband, Timothy, who was also a member of the Coast Guard. It is believed that Eileen was the last surviving member of the SPARS in Massachusetts.

She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den mother while her family was young.  She continued her service to others throughout her life:  from the 1980's to the mid-2010's she packed and delivered meals for Norwood Meals on Wheels and crocheted dozens of blankets for homeless veterans at the Norwood Senior Center.  For decades, during her winters in Naples, she made rosaries at St. Peter's, where she was a congregant, for the CCD children and the missions abroad.  She also volunteered at Lely Manor Care. 

Eileen enjoyed board games and cards.  She played ruthless cribbage and delighted in jigsaw puzzles.  Both she and her husband, Tim, enjoyed travel - cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska and trips to Europe, while walking for miles daily.  Into her 80's she participated in local 5K's and ran the final leg of a sprint triathlon.  She was a whiz with her I-Pad, using every feature it had to offer. 

Our family would like to thank the staff and residents at New Pond Village for a wonderful late-in-life experience these past ten years.  Special gratitude to all of her caregivers, and most especially, Ruth, who has been Mom's exceptional and steadfast caregiver and friend.

Eileen is predeceased by Timothy J. Quinn, her husband of 61 years.  She is survived by her children Timothy and Virginia Quinn of Boston, Patricia Quinn of Annapolis, Maryland, Thomas and Barbara Quinn of Easthampton, Robert and Mary Quinn of Quincy, Julie and Brian McDonough of Boston, and Paul and Maura Quinn of Walpole.  She is survived by 15 of her 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, her sister, Alice Jenkinson, and sister-in-law, Trudy Riordan.  She is also predeceased by her sisters; Bernadette Vicha, Sister Rose Marita Riordan, SP, and Rosaleen Gibbons, and her brothers, James, John, and William Riordan as well as her grandson, Timothy J. Quinn. 

We, her children, will miss her devotion to family, her ready smiles and snappy comebacks, her advice (which rarely sounded like advice), and her sanguine take on life, which always seemed to be spot-on.  Mom was always available to lend an ear, console us in our disappointments, applaud and celebrate our achievements - all with an innate grace.

Donations may be made in Eileen’s memory to the New Pond Village Holiday Fund, 180 Main St. Walpole, MA 02081 or to the Norwood Meals on Wheels, 545 South Street, Suite 300, Walpole, MA 02081 or by visiting https://hessco.org/donate/  

Mom remains forever in our memories and in our hearts.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Eileen’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 10:00 am in Saint Mary’s Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole.  Interment will take place privately at Highland Cemetery in Norwood.