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Mary Quinn
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Obituary for Mary J. Quinn

Mary J.  Quinn
VINALHAVEN - Mary J. Quinn, 85, died Friday, April 23, 2010, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, from injuries she sustained in an automobile accident in Rockland, April 10th.
Born at Vinalhaven, May 1, 1924, she was the daughter of Vinalhaven stone-cutter, John and Edna Rossiter Johnson. Educated in local schools she was a 1942 graduate of Vinalhaven High School.
At Christmas time, 1944, Mary was wrapping a gift for her boyfriend Burnell, who was serving in Europe with the United States Army. At that time, a crow landed on the kitchen window sill, and after shooing the crow away, her mother commented, "Oh! That's bad luck". Two weeks later Mary received word that Burnell had been killed in the Battle of the Bulge.
After moving to Rockland, she was first employed at Senter Cranes Department Store, before beginning employment with New England Telephone Company. Mary quickly worked her way through that company to the position of Chief Operator/Supervisor. She worked at various times in both the Belfast and Rockland offices. At the time of her retirement, the phone company asked Mary to move to England to train new employees; an opportunity she refused in order to stay home and care for her aging mother.
Later in life, Mary enjoyed ten years of marriage to Ivan D. Quinn, before his death in 1973.
For many years, Mary enjoyed close friendship with Barbara Smalley and Charlotte Cook, both of Rockland. She also was pleased for many years, to correspond, and receive correspondence from Richard W. Smalley.
For the past several years, Mary spent winters in Rockland, where she enjoyed many friendships with neighbors.
Having known him since his birth, Mary developed an abiding relationship with James Dickey, who she considered as a son. She enjoyed taking day trips with Jimmy, and each year particularly looked forward to celebrating her birthday with Jimmy and other friends at Bug-A-Boo Creek Restaurant in South Portland. She was always particularly pleased at that event each year, to receive a May Basket, made by her Vinalhaven friend and neighbor, Jean Conway.
She also enjoyed eating out at Dunstin Corner School House Restaurant in Scarborough, with Jimmy, and going yardsaleing afterward. Mary often went out to eat with her friends Marion Woodcock and Phyllis Peterson at the Harbor Gawker and chatting with the owner, Lonnie Morton. While on the Island, she visited with her friend, Harriet Warren and often talked on the phone with her.
In more recent years, Mary considered her pets as her closest family. Having been present at the birth of her "Big Boy", a Shitzu Camoo, she also loved her Shitzu which bore her name, "Little Mary". She considered "Big Boy's" offspring as her grandchildren. They included, "Little Boy", "Popeye Toot-Toot", "Pandabear", "Padidle", "Mama Smidgen" and "Girly Girl".
Mary was a long time dedicated member of the Union Church of Vinalhaven and Telephone Pioneers of Knox County.
Other than her many friends and beloved "Big Boy" and "Little Mary", Mary is survived by her caregiver and friend, James D. Dickey of Vinalhaven.
Visiting hours were held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at Cummings Cemetery, Vinalhaven. The Reverend Joan Smith and Reverend Andrea Smith will co-officiate.

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