Louise Mary McQuillen

Louise Mary (Devlin) McQuillen died peacefully in her sleep January 24, 2026 in San Francisco, CA in the apartment she shared with her husband Michael Paul McQuillen, who predeceased her September 18, 2025. Louise and her identical twin sister Mary Louise Devlin were born prematurely in New York City February 3, 1933 to Mary Louise (Martin) Devlin and Edward Joseph Devlin, Jr. Sadly their mother died in childbirth and they were raised by their father, nanny Kitty Owen and later their stepmother Gladys Devlin. The twins graduated from the Marymount School of New York in Manhattan and Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY. Michael and Louise met at a dance in high school in New York. Michael asked Louise where she might want to go on a 'first date' and when she replied, 'isn't there a basketball game tonight?' he knew they were a match! The twins were introduced to society in 1951 at the Debutantes New Year's Ball in New York City. Louise married Michael in a double wedding with her sister at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bronxville, NY on May 25, 1957.

Louise and Michael made homes in many interesting places during their almost 70 years of marriage. First in Montreal where Michael was pursuing an internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital. There they rescued a shivering kitten from the cold on the way home from church, even though their apartment building did not permit pets. This was the first of decades of family cats, all of whom adored her. Through multiple moves along Michael's career journey (Neurology residency training at Georgetown, where their first son Daniel was born, followed by fellowship in Baltimore, MD and two more sons, Thomas and Patrick and then finally as junior faculty in Lexington, KY, where they welcomed daughter Kathleen), Louise supported Michael at each stop. Louise and Michael made time for sabbatical years in Naerum (north of Copenhagen) Denmark followed later by another year in Dublin Ireland. In between sabbaticals, they spent a decade each in Lexington, KY and Milwaukee, WI. After Michael 'retired' they spent a year in Charlottesville, VA, then several years in Pittsford, NY followed by Palo Alto, CA and finally San Francisco, CA to be closer to most of their children and grandchildren.

In addition to raising four children, Louise immersed herself in each community as an enthusiastic volunteer - in hospice work, the League of Women Voters, and pursuing her love of gardening. She was a talented cook and threw many a party for Michael's colleagues. Her delicious Baltimore oyster casserole, linguine and clams, and meatloaf recipes have been family favorites for years. Throughout their journey together, Louise supported her husband's career and expertly raised their children both with love and fierce protection. Through her dedication to hospice, Louise helped found and run one of the first programs for volunteer companions in one of the first hospice programs in the US in the Milwaukee area and continued volunteer hospice work in Pittsford and Palo Alto. Louise was a lifelong birder and led school tours at the Audubon Center in Milwaukee. An avid and successful gardener, she achieved a Master Gardener certification from Cornell while living in Pittsford, later volunteering to tend the gardens at the Elizabeth F. Gamble Historic Home and Gardens in Palo Alto. A visit to your home from Louise almost always ended up in improvements to your home landscape.

Louise is survived by her identical twin, Mary Devlin of Pittsburgh, PA; their younger sisters Joanne Elizabeth Devlin and Margaret Mary Devlin of St Petersburg, FL; her children and their spouses Daniel (Michele) McQuillen of Ipswich, MA, Thomas (Clare Johnston) McQuillen of Tucson, AZ, Patrick (Peggy Kwun) McQuillen of Mill Valley, CA and Kathleen McQuillen Visser (Sean) of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren Claire McQuillen Contrada (John) of Newburyport, MA, Aileen McQuillen Sheive (Brayden) of Salisbury, MA, Meghan McQuillen of Arlington, VA, Isaac (Rachel Robles) McQuillen of Redwood City, CA, Ella McQuillen of San Francisco, CA, Aerin McQuillen of Tucson, AZ, Caden McQuillen of Manhattan, NY, Cara McQuillen of Queens, NY, Grace Visser and Nora Visser of San Francisco, CA; great grandsons Theodore Contrada and Johnny Contrada of Newburyport, MA and great granddaughter Sylvie Sheive of Salisbury, MA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Louise was devoted to her children and loved visits from them, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The true love of her life was Michael, reflected in the simple act of renewing wedding vows, which Louise and Michael did with family on multiple occasions including their 20th (at Marquette High School in Milwaukee), 50th (at St Finbarr's Oratory in Googan Barra, County Cork, Ireland) and 60th (in the Gamble Gardens of Palo Alto) anniversaries. They have no doubt already renewed their vows in the continuation of a life of commitment to each other for over 70 years.

Details for a celebration of Louise's life will be forthcoming.

Donations in Louise's name can be made to:Gamble Garden
1431 Waverly Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301

https://www.gamblegarden.org/support-us/give/