Marla H. (Hicks) Quinn

Marla H. Quinn, cherished mother of 8 passed away on May 26, 2020 at 81, peacefully comforted by the presence of her loving children. Marla was born in Parish, N.Y. and resided in Fayetteville throughout her childhood attending FM Schools and graduating from The Cathedral Academy in Syracuse.  She studied higher education at LeMoyne College graduating with high honors in pursuit of a nursing career.  At St. Joseph’s College of Nursing she earned an RN Degree and commenced her nursing career at Tompkins County Hospital in Ithaca, NY.  In 1960 she was married to C. Barry Quinn.  

In 1964 with a veterinarian fresh out of Cornell they moved to DeWitt, N.Y. to grow a small animal practice and a large family.  When they outgrew their first home, life took them to Jamesville, N.Y. to continue as home-maker and community member teaching Religious Education at St. Mary’s, coaching Little League and raising children.  It wasn’t long before she found herself the mom of eight and “surrogate” to every neighborhood child. In her later years, with offspring pursuing their own educations, she returned to DeWitt, resuming nursing roles with spirited vivaciousness and displaying acts of kindness and care toward patients at Hill Haven, Loretto Geriatric Center, Benjamin Rush Psychiatric Center, The Red Cross Bloodmobile and devoting herself to the end of life care of friends and patients in our tight-knit community.  Extending her compassion beyond the limits of “duty”, human dignity, sacrifice, and kindness were ever in the forefront of her motives.  Her community was those in need. She loved books, baseball and her family.  An avid reader and Yankee fan, she engulfed a book a day that spanned the genres of Yankee biographies, Mysteries, to the Classics.  And when finally retired, Marla visited her children all over the country.   Among her interests in organizations were:   St. Joseph’s Alumni, LeMoyne Golden Circle, EP Vet Association, Disabled Veterans Association, The ASPCA, and Guardian Angels of Cathedral. Witty and romantic, she commanded attention with humor, an infectious laugh, and captivating smile and held it with profound knowledge, wisdom and experience.  All with lack of personal vanity.

Like the Bard, she entered and expired from this world on nearly the same day leaving us poignant lessons on the human condition.  She will be honored and revered within our family as a beautiful soul who single-mindedly trusted in the power of love without condition or consequence; one who belonged to everyone, except herself.

Marla is predeceased by her son Paul Timothy and her beloved labrador Jeter. Surviving her is her doting and adoring sister, Patricia H. Nardella (Anthony) of Manlius; and seven children; Kathleen, Kevin (Laura Fowler), Theresa (Daniel O’Connor), Maura, Megan (Todd Trombley), Sheilah (James Warden), and Susan (Philipp Preuss). Our mother leaves a life-force of ten grandchildren:  Bridget, Sean, Rachael & Amanda, Caitlin& Michael, Riley&Zackery, Penny&Henrietta and three great grandchildren: Connor, Michael and Monroe. 

We are honoring Marla with blood contributions to: The American Red Cross or gifts to Guardian Angel Society or The ASPCA in her name. 

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday August 7, 2020 at 1:00pm Holy Cross Church, DeWitt. To Honor Marla, please make a blood donation to RED CROSS or a gift to ASPCA or Guardian Angel Society of Cathedral.

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