QUINN, Julia Marie

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona 01/08/2010 Julia Marie Quinn, almost 93, left this world for a better place Dec. 31, 2009. She resided at Encore Senior Village (38th St.) in Phoenix for the previous year where she peacefully died in her sleep of natural causes. Judy was born Jan. 31, 1917, in Buffalo, N.Y., one of two children of William John Benner (died 1962) and Ellen Christine Fitzgerald (died 1963). She lived her early school age years in Buffalo, N.Y. and later on Grand Island, N.Y. where her relatives owned Eagle Park Amusement. She met her husband, Michael J. Quinn while working at Curtis-Wright Aircraft making airplane wings during World War II. They married Aug. 14, 1944 and lived on Grand Island, N.Y. near where her parents moved. Due to their son Michael Jr.'s respiratory illness, it was recommended by doctors they move to the dry heat of Phoenix for his survival, which they did May 1955 with their three youngest children. She worked for a time at Sperry Rand in Phoenix building gyroscopes, attended St. Teresa's Church and were member of the Phoenix Elks. After her father's death she took care of her mother and then later her aunt Helen Hunter in her home. After Michael Jr.'s passing, she and her husband moved to the cooler climate of Clay Springs. There they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family. After her husband's death she moved to Show Low where she attended St. Rita's Catholic Church. She moved back to Phoenix in 2006. Judy was an inspiration to her family and friends. She was always willing volunteer, a hardworker (whether it was a shovel or a needle and thread) or cooking in the Show Low Elk's kitchen, pitching in whenever help was needed, being a leader is one was required, making friends wherever she went, enjoying every minute. She loved life and had a laugh that made you join right in. She loved chocolate ice cream, every holiday and loved a parade. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was her favorite for which she got up early in the morning every year to watch it on TV. She loved the Show Low Fourth of July parade too and rode on many floats through town. She traveled to Hawaii, Ireland, and went on a St. Thomas cruise with her friends that she so enjoyed. Her favorite color was purple which she wore often. Judy loved to play cards (poker with the girls and playing "Seven" with her family for pennies), she loved to have lunch and shoot pool with the girls and was a longtime member of a women's bowling team. She was a great bowler and proved it to her grandchildren when she bowled a 228 at the age of 80. She loved Wii bowling with the family at 92. Judy love watching football games, listening to music, sing-a-longs and loved to dance, as shown by her staying on the dance floor most of the night at her granddaughter Erin's wedding in January 2007. She loved her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren even when being far away and her age made visiting difficult. She never complained about life's disappointments and looked for the joy in life, always excited to try new things. She loved being a member of the Show Low Emblem Club where she was a past President. She served as a director of the Show Low Helping Hand for many years, helping the less fortunate. She loved the Show Low Elks Club and participated in many volunteer charity efforts including Clothe-a-Child at Christmas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Michael J. Quinn (1994); son Michael J. Jr., (1980); brother Harold (1924) and grandson Jeffrey Lown (2009). She is survived by her children Harrison "Corky" (Patricia) Carter of Grand Island, N.Y., Beverly E. (Paul) Lown of Virginia Beach, Va., William (Cheryl) of Scottsdale and Paul B. (Terrie) of Lake Havasu City. She leaves a legacy in her grandchildren, Nathan (Carrie) Quinn, Kevin Quinn of Phoenix, Erin (Drew) Farrar of Henderson, Nev., Brian (Janice) Lown, Keith Lown of Virginia Beach; Kenneth W. (Susan) Carter, Stephen M. Carter, Karen P. Carter and Deborah A. Carter of Grand Island, N.Y. and many wonderful great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 10815 N. 84th St. in Scottsdale. Arrangement were handled by Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary. (480) 991-5800.