Rev. Marjory Keith Quinn

Rev. Marjory Keith Quinn Oct. 18, 1926 - Oct. 16, 2010 The Reverend Marjory Keith Quinn, born in Berkeley on October 18th 1926, died peacefully on October 16th 2010 at her home at the Los Gatos Meadows retirement community. "Marj" was a third-generation Californian whose family roots extended into the Sierra at Sonora, the valley at Fresno, and the Bay Area at Berkeley, where she lived throughout her childhood. She graduated from Berkeley High School and completed a two-year pre-nursing course at U. C. Berkeley during World War II, before marrying and settling down to rear a family of three daughters. In 1965, Marj returned to college at U.c. Berkeley from which she graduated two years later with a major in social welfare. She then entered a special program designed to attract people with a variety of backgrounds and disciplines into the professional teaching of kindergartners. The program led her to complete a Masters Degree in Counseling at California State Hayward while teaching kindergarten and special education in what was known as the "iron triangle" area of Richmond. Here dangers from crime and industrial accidents were not unusual hazards for pupils and teachers alike. Here she continued her teaching career until 1995. In 1970, Marj entered the School for Ministries of the Diocese of California. Upon completing her studies, she read for Holy Orders, was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church, and served for three years at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Marj felt it was important to demonstrate to parishioners and visitors who had never experienced a woman in this role how right and significant the change was. She was actively involved nationally in helping to secure full access for women to all orders of ministry. In 1976, when the national Episcopal Church opened the path to priesthood for women, Marj was ordained as the second woman priest in California. As a result, her subsequent ministry in association with the Oakland parishes of St. Augustine's and St. Cuthbert's was of historical as well as pastoral significance to many. She is known as one of the pioneers of women's ordination and was proud to be part of a significant moment in the history of the church. Marj is survived by her three daughters: Kathleen Thygeson and husband Philip, Ellen McAllister, and Kerry Ingram and husband Sean; by ten grandchildren: Rob, Adam, James, Farah, Daniel, Nicole, David, Elizabeth, Darien and Sean; by six great-grandchildren: Quinn, Kellen, Kailee, Jacksen, Sophia and Grant; and by her clergy sister and long-time companion, The Reverend Patricia Cummings and her family. A Memorial Eucharist will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Los Gatos, on Saturday, October 23rd at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Los Gatos Meadows Benevolent Fund, 110 Wood Road, Los Gatos, CA 95030.