1937 – 2014

FARMINGTON — Nancy Quinn of East Wilton passed away of natural causes on Sunday, Oct. 19. A very aggressive disease took her life only 17 days after her diagnosis.

Nancy was born in South Paris in 1937, to Frances (Turner) and Howard Sturtevant. She grew up in the Christian Ridge section of Paris Hill at the family apple and dairy farm, with its beautiful panoramic views of mountains, hills and several hundred acres of fields and forest.

She learned work and responsibility by caring for her animals, and also enjoyed the freedom of all the outdoor activities afforded by her environment. Two special pleasures were riding her horse, Pat, to the swimming hole with her two younger sisters holding on to her from behind, and also bouncing around the back fields in a well-worn World War II Jeep that her father bought for his girls.

She graduated from South Paris High School in 1956, where she was a majorette and excelled in sports. After completing two years of college, she left to marry her high school sweetheart, Jack Quinn.

She worked for three years, mostly as a secretary at the University of Maine in Orono, to help pay for her husband’s college education. After Jack graduated from college, they started their family, first with John and then with daughter, Deborah. Nancy then became a full-time housewife.

They lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut for seven years in a highly urbanized community. As the children reached elementary school age, they decided to return to Maine for a quieter and safer lifestyle. They moved to East Wilton and resided there since. The setting was ideal, as the kids had a large swimming pool, a tennis court next door and a little league field about 300 yards away, as well as a basketball court and ice skating rink at East Wilton Fire Station. There were children of the same age to play with and wonderful neighbors. The move to East Wilton couldn’t have been more appropriate.

Nancy’s connection to the outdoors and athletic activities continued throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening, swimming, golf and running — then jogging — then walking as the years piled up on her. For several years, she was a certified national basketball official who refereed innumerable women’s high school and college games in the Tri-County area.

After the children finished college and left home, Nancy returned to work as a teaching assistant in the Livermore Falls School System for several years. She enjoyed the students and her colleagues immensely, particularly special friend, Diane Maurais.

The Quinns retired in December 2000, and for the last 14 years found a second hometown in Sun City, Fla., during the winters.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Jack; children, John, and daughter, Deborah, and her husband, John Reny; sisters, Shirley Miller and Sandy Weston; brother-in-law, Mike Quinn; sister-in-law, Pat Quinn; grandchildren, Chelsea, Kallie, John V and Luke Quinn and Taylor and McKenna Reny, all of whom she warmly carried in her heart; and many nieces, nephews and cousins for whom she had much affection.

Nancy was beautiful inside and out. The photo above was shot at age 77 during the 2014 Florida winter. Nancy was loving, caring, congenial, fun, diligent, humble, kind and compassionate. There could not have been a better wife, mother and friend ever. God bless Nancy.

Online condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.