Karen Lynn Brady Quinlan

Karen Lynn Brady Quinlan, 53, of Elmwood Ave. in the Jefferson section of Holden, died peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2008 in Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a long battle with cancer.

She leaves her husband Paul M. Quinlan; her parents, H. Wendell and Margret (Gulker) Brady, Jr. of Morristown, NJ; a brother, Mark Brady and his wife Janet of Bridgewater, NJ; her in-laws, John H. and Pauline Quinlan, Jr. of Northborough; 4 uncles, 2 aunts and 15 cousins and their spouses and children. Karen was the 9th generation of her family who descended from several old New England families. She was born in Morristown and was a graduate of Morristown High School and Kean University in Union, NJ. She attended The Philadelphia School of Art.

While living in New Jersey, she owned and operated The Metropolitan Art and Framing Gallery and South Street Framing. She taught special education in New Jersey for a several years and moved to Massachusetts in 2001 in order to teach Special Education at Wachusett Regional High School. Her philosophy on Special Education was that each student was special and had special qualities. She felt that they all had tremendous potential. This proved true when her students would flourish under her care. In addition to teaching, Karen loved her Rottweiler's, dragonflies, traveling, reading, biking, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, skiing, food and parties amongst other things. She was also a talented artist and craftsperson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 27th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Service of Remembrance will be held in her hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Why Me & Sherry House, 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602.

www.milesfuneralhome.com