Obituary of MaryLou McQuinn

LINK to livestream of funeral mass

Clicking on the link (above) will bring you to the funeral home's facebook page (sign-in is NOT required).  A livestream of the funeral will begin a few minutes before 10am on Monday, January 15th. 

Mary Louise “MaryLou” (Deckert) McQuinn, a retired teacher in the Burlington school system passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, January 8, 2024.  She was 93 years old.  MaryLou was born in Buffalo, NY.  She was the daughter of Warren and Louise Deckert.  She grew up in Buffalo until she was a Junior in high school and then the family moved to Portland Maine where she finished high school.  She furthered her education at Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, NY where she earned her bachelor’s degree.  Throughout her life, she took master’s level classes to keep up with teaching trends and methods and to be a perpetual learner.  MaryLou met her future husband George McQuinn when she was teaching in Maine.  They married and moved to Cambridge for a time before settling in Burlington in 1960 to raise their family.  She stayed at home to raise her children while they were young.  She re-entered the education system first as a substitute teacher before going full time.  She taught at Francis Wyman and Fox Hill Schools in Burlington in several grades before settling into Fifth grade.  She was one of those special teachers that student never forgot.  She was challenging, but fair, and made education fun.  She retired after almost 30 years in the Burlington School system.  Then she helped in the science center for many years.  She also was part of Burlington schools Bridges program which invited seniors to class once a week to share about a wide variety of topics and experiences.  The program’s goal was to bridge the generation gap and MaryLou was the perfect person for that job.  She participated in the program until she was 88 years old, and some of the student’s parents were her former students.  MaryLou never forgot a student’s name even decades later.  Nothing made her happier than being recognized by former students, sharing some memories, and seeing how they have become responsible adults. 

MaryLou had a deep and strong Catholic faith that she deepened, strengthened, and shared as a member of St. Margaret’s Church.  She didn’t just attend mass; she was a vital part of it’s soul.  She started a religious education program for children with disabilities, she taught CCD, was a member of the CCD program’s Board of Directors, helped with bazaars, and served as a eucharistic minister, lecturer, and landscaper.  As the supportive wife of a Knights of Columbus member, she helped with their charitable events and socials. 

MaryLou was also deeply involved in the Burlington community.  She was a Girl Scout and Brownie Leader.  She coached freshman field hockey at Burlington High School and youth softball.  She volunteered at People Helping People’s food pantry, wish tree, pumpkin patch, and anything else they needed.  She was in bowling leagues up until her 80’s.  She was introduced to golf by her mother at an early age.  She then played until she was 88 years old.  She was a longtime member of the Billerica Country Club, played in their women’s league, and participated in many charity golf tournaments.  She was so proud of Burlington that at the age of 92, and just recovering from a major health issue, she insisted on going the Burlington Fourth of July parade in the pouring rain.

MaryLou was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She was supportive and encouraging.  She could be direct, but always in a positive way.  She instilled upon her family to find the good even in a bad situation.  She was supportive and encouraging right up until her passing.  Her children fondly remember their yearly summer vacations in Sebago Lake.  She created a unique bond with all her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren.  Each one was special in different ways and MaryLou made each one feel like her favorite.  She was the rock that her family relied on.  She gave them all strong values, solid educations, the confidence to stand up for what they believed to be right, supported them in their successes and missteps, and loved them all unconditionally and with her entire being.  With MaryLou’s passing, her family, church, and community have lost an incredible woman. 

MaryLou was the beloved wife of the late George J. McQuinn.  She was the loving mother of Stephen K. McQuinn & his wife Marilyn of Moorpark, CA, Catherine A. Cushman of S. Dennis, Patricia L. McNulty & her husband Niall of Warwick, RI and Susan M. Campbell of Littleton.  She was the proud grandmother of Warren & Charlie McQuinn, Siobhan Moran & her husband Shane, Meghan & Hannah McNulty, Kaitlin & Kevin Campbell, and great grandmother of Cooper Moran.  She was also survived by her in-laws, John and Sarah Elwell of Cape Elizabeth, ME and Maureen McQuinn of Portland, ME. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Sunday, Jan 14 from 3-6pm.  Funeral from the Funeral Home on Monday, Jan. 15 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, in St. Veronica Parish, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10am.  Services will conclude with burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in MaryLou’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803 www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org. 

For directions, obituary, online guest book & memorial video see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net