Obituary of Grace E. Quinn

Grace Quinn, Morris Plains, NJ Grace E. Quinn, 89, passed away on May 10, 2014. Grace was born and raised Grace Elnora Erdman on the Erdman Farm in Baltimore Maryland. She grew up along with her older siblings: Katherine, Mary, Mildred, Charlotte, Daisy, Maurice, Walter and Edgar. She had a loving relationship with her family and a wonderful childhood filled with memories of her caring father, loving sisters and fun loving brothers growing up in a farm house surrounded by horses, chickens and lots of other pets. That loving upbringing carried through to her adult life as she became the most loving, giving, hard working, supportive wife and mother a family could ask for – all with a never ending sense of humor. She was a master of applied Yankee ingenuity around the house. She was the youngest and the last surviving Erdman of her generation. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband John and amazing grandson Andrew. She is survived by her children John Jr of Morris Plains, NJ, Frances Gajewski of Milan, TN and Judith Castleberry of Oklahoma City, OK. She leaves nine grandchildren Colleen, Jeff, Kathy, Suzanne, Cheri, Charlie, Axel, Kyle and Sarah and four great-grandchildren Shelbi, Sydni ,Ella and Dominic. Grace Erdman met her future husband John 'Jack' Quinn through her brother Walter while both men served in the Marines during World War II – including stints in Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. Grace and Jack exchanged letters until they met after the war. They later married and were perfect for each other. They moved to Newark, N.J. where Jack served as a police officer until he retired and also did extra work as a carpenter. While there, they raised their three children. Grace was an avid artist and, like her husband Jack, was a pretty good carpenter. She designed the home of their dreams and together with their children built it with their own hands from top to bottom on a mountain top in Northern New Jersey. Grace loved maintaining the house, her garden and caring for her many pets – even long after her husband died in 1981. Following a hip fracture several years ago, Grace spent much of her time recuperating with her son Jack in Morris Plains. There she shared her many and varied experiences with her children, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her stories never disappointed them and most always had a happy and funny ending. She was very perceptive and her suggestions about living were always spot on. If ever there was a mother who knew best, it was Grace. The recent loss of her 22 year-old grandson Andrew in a tragic hit-and run accident was difficult for her to bear – she was so proud of him and took his loss very hard. Spending time and getting to know her four great-grandchildren, Shelbi, Sydni, two-year-old Ella and two-day old Dominic, helped to ease that pain and gave her hope and happiness until the end. She truly was an Amazing Grace. A Private Family Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 14th at 11 am at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville NJ 07834. Interment to follow at the Sparta Presbyterian Cemetery. Public visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 13th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with her wishes, please consider making a donation to: Cornell University, PO Box 223623, Pittsburgh, PA 15251, including "Andrew Quinn '12 Memorial Scholarship" in the memo line.