Maria P. (Peano) Quinn, 73
Enjoyed a lifelong love of music; was avid Red Sox fan

ASHBURNHAM - Maria P. (Peano) Quinn, 73, of 287 Russell Hill Rd., died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner after a battle with cancer.

Maria, the daughter of the late Anthony and Helen (Hose) Peano, was born in Washington, D.C. on March 7, 1934. She entered the convent with the Sisters of Mercy when she was 18 years old and remained with the order 10 years. Later, she became a Carmelite nun, remaining with that order another 20 years. After leaving religious life, she met and married her beloved husband, John Douglas Quinn with whom she shared 24 wonderful years of marriage.

Music was a big part of Maria's life. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and was organist and choir director at the former First Lutheran Church in Gardner. She was choir director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Gardner for 10 years, choir director and organist at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Worcester and played the organ at St. Denis and St. Anne's parishes in Ashburnham. She enjoyed a lifelong love of music and taught music for many years.

It is true that the Boston Red Sox lost one of their biggest fans on Sunday, Sept. 30. Maria was passionate about baseball and most especially, the Boston Red Sox. Maria absolutely loved roses, assisting her husband in growing 118 different varieties. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind and gentle soul with a wonderful heart. She was truly loved by all.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John Douglas Quinn and his nine children, Daniel Quinn, Martin Quinn, Stephen Quinn, Brian Quinn, Eileen Moore Quinn, Linda Maguire, Nancy Quinn, Terry Maguire and Maura Stobie; one sister, Alyce Stephens of Wilmington, Del.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces.

Those who wish to remember Maria by making a memorial contribution to a charity are kindly asked to consider the Oncology Specialty Clinics, c/o Heywood Hospital, 250 Green St., Gardner, MA 01440.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lamoureux-Fletcher Community Funeral Home, Gardner.