Sister Marjorie Quin

A gracious, caring, prayerful woman

Marjorie, the first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Quin of Trivoli, Illinois, was born at home on September 10, 1925. She already had two brothers and, in time, would have another brother and two sisters. The family lived on a farm so the children grew up taking care of chickens, milking cows, and mucking out the barn. Their mother, in addition to helping her husband with the farm, taught at the local school. The children joined 4-H groups where they participated in baking, sewing and showing off animals they'd raised. Since there was no Catholic school available, when the children were old enough, they lived with relatives in Peoria for a time to receive some Catholic education. Marjorie met the Sisters of St. Joseph there at the Academy of Our Lady. Marjorie thought about a religious vocation but knew she was needed on the farm. She was out of school, working and helping out at home when her parents eventually moved off the farm. Her dad and brothers found work in the city.

On September 15, 1947, 22-year-old Marjorie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph. She received the habit and the name Sister Mary Jarvis on March 19, 1948. Upon leaving the novitiate, she taught in St. Louis, first, primary students at St. Leo (1950), then primary and intermediate while at St. Edward (1952); primary at St. Anthony of Padua(1960) and intermediate at Sts. Mary and Joseph (1961). Then, in 1963, she continued to teach intermediate at St. Viator in Chicago. Back in St. Louis, she continued teaching the same level at Holy Name School (1967), and then at St. Cecilia in Peoria, Illinois (1971). In 1972, Sister Marjorie was a clerical worker at Saint Joseph Carondelet Child Center in Chicago. In 1982, she became the provincialate secretary at St. Joseph Provincial House in St. Louis.

The year 1988 was one of many changes for S. Marjorie. Some of her family, including her mother, moved to Florida, so she took a secretarial position at Central Catholic School of Citrus County in Crystal River in August. In October, she began two diverse occupations, both lasting until June of 1989. She became a teacher aide at Central Catholic

as well as a receptionist/cook at Saint Benedict parish in Crystal River. S. Marjorie kept herself busy working, even overlapping ministries. She worked for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg as a secretary (1989-1991) and with the Franciscan Ministry of the Word in Belleair as a clerical worker (1989-2005). She worked with Catholic Charities in St. Petersburg as a secretary (1991) and then in elderly services and disabilities (1993). In 1995, she also began caring for her family in Clearwater, though, in 1997 she was able to take on clerical work for the Mantle of Mary Association in Belleair.

In 2008, she left Florida to move to Nazareth Living Center. She enjoyed visiting the other residents, until she was impeded when she suffered a stroke. She continued to do as much as she was able and greeted others with a smile.

Sister Patricia Murphy recalls:

S. Marjorie always seemed hospitable, welcoming and joyfully-peaceful. Even after her stroke, she seemed accepting of her limitations ... she loved visitors and welcomed them with a big smile.

Associate Patrick McDowell shares:

S. Marjorie Quin enjoyed hearing a joke or listening to a humorous story. Sister would laugh and have a large smile and wide grin on her face. She enjoyed life, listening to others and spending time with everyone whom she met. She always had a positive outlook on life and found joy in everyday life.

By Sister Helen Oaztes