Dorothy M. Quinn

Dorothy M. Quinn 19152008 WILLIAMSTOWN Dorothy M. Quinn, 92, formerly of Main Street, Colrain, passed away, surrounded by her family, on Thursday night, July 17, 2008, at the Sweet Brook Transitional Care and Living Center, where she had resided since February 2006. Born in West Leyden on Oct. 18, 1915, daughter of Gilbert and Mildred Denison Barton, she attended Leyden Center School and graduated from the former Northfield High School in 1934. In 1937 she received her three-year diploma as an elementary school teacher and her bachelor of science in education degree in 1964, both from Fitchburg State Teachers College. Mrs. Quinn taught all eight grades for three years in Guilford, Vt., rural schools, and fifth grade for one year in Brattleboro, Vt. She taught for 24 years in Colrain, beginning in 1949. During some of those years, she was the principal and head teacher as well as the full-time fifth grade teacher. She retired in 1973. Mrs. Quinn had a passion for children and as a teacher, she took pride in helping each young person achieve his/her personal best. She would often mention she had taught two of her sons-in-law and her three youngest daughters. It pleased her when former students would stop by to visit as she tended her beautiful flower gardens. On June 29, 1940, she married Harlan L. Quinn of Guilford, Vt. The Quinns purchased their first home in West Leyden in 1941 and then the Thompson property on Main Street, Colrain in 1956. Her greatest pride was her close-knit family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be remembered by many for her delicious homemade meals and desserts, especially her frosted cinnamon rolls! In her later years, it brought her great comfort from the many friendships she developed through the Colrain Community Church, the Women's Bible Class and the Shelburne Falls Senior Center. Dorothy was a member of the Massachusetts Retired Teachers' Association, Colrain Community Church, Colrain Historical Society and from 1989 to 2001 was secretary/treasurer of the West Leyden Cemetery Association. Her favorite pastimes included gardening, cooking, camping, traveling, letter writing, crossword puzzles and bowling. Her strong love for vacationing at the ocean has been passed down to her daughters and their families. She leaves five daughters, Betsy Temple and her husband, Richard, of Worcester, Vt., Donna Noyes and her husband, Kenneth of Colrain, Joan Gilbert and her husband, Gerard, of Heath, Lou Ann Quinn of North Adams, and Susan Sanderson and her husband, Robert, of Readsboro, Vt; 10 grandchildren, Christopher Temple and wife, Becky, of Hinesburg, Vt., Gregory Temple and wife, Marla, of Pittsfield, Jenifer Temple of Rhinebeck, N.Y., Andrew Noyes and wife, Lisa, of Jacksonville, Vt., Pamela Noyes of Greenfield, Jeffrey Gilbert of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Jeremy Gilbert and wife, Kelly, of Northfield, Max Quinn of North Adams, Ryan Sanderson of Winooski, Vt., and Caitlyn Sanderson of Readsboro, Vt.; five great-grandchildren, McKenna and Alexandra Temple, Miranda and Samantha Noyes and Dylan Gilbert; one brother, Donald Barton and his wife, Virginia, of Easthampton, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Harlan, in 1989; by a daughter, Harlene Betsy, in 1943; by a granddaughter, Jillian Lou Gilbert, in 1998; by her sister, Ruth Sawyer, and brothers, Douglas and Kenneth Barton. FUNERAL NOTICE: A funeral service will be Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m., at the Colrain Community Church. Burial services will follow in West Leyden Cemetery, Leyden. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the SMITH-KELLEHER FUNERAL HOME, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to the Colrain Community Church, Main Rd., Colrain, MA 01340; the Shelburne Senior Center, Main St., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370; or the Sweet Brook Transitional Care & Living Center, 1561 Cold Spring Rd., Williamstown, MA 01267