Marcia Everhart Stirling Quillen

Marcia Everhart Stirling Quillen, age 77, died on Sunday, July 19. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, William (Bill) Tatem Quillen; her daughters, Carol Everhart Quillen (George McLendon) and Tracey Tatem Quillen (John Carney); her grandchildren, Caitlin Everhart Lohrenz, Samuel Quillen Carney, and James Tatem Stirling Carney; her sister-in-law, Barbara Quillen; niece Anne Quillen Donecker and her family; beloved cousins and friends. Marcia was the only child of Virginia Everhart Dengler Stirling and William Muir Stirling, both deceased. Despite her persistent assertion that she would never wage a "courageous battle" against any illness, that's exactly what Marcia did – as always, much more for the people she loved than for herself – fighting through 14 months of treatment for cancer. And during what she called "my year," she was able to attend her daughter's wedding, two grandchildren's graduations, a high-school musical and senior assembly, laugh-filled lunches and family celebrations, including her 77th birthday party; and she added to her record of cheering (with her bleacher buddies) at grandchildren's athletic events, a minimum of 45 a year, right through the spring season. Thanks to all of the medical and care professionals, especially to Dr. Stephen Grubbs and his staff, for helping to make Marcia's year possible. Marcia was a 1956 graduate of Wilmington Friends School and remained close friends with her fellow "56'ers" throughout her life. She attended Wellesley College, where she was a Wellesley Scholar, 1956-1959, before leaving to marry Bill as he began service in the Air Force. She worked part-time at Abilities Inc. and attended Hofstra University while they were stationed in New York, where Carol was born in 1961; Tracey was born in 1962 at the Dover Air Force Base. The family lived in New Castle for many years, and the Quillens always considered New Castle their home. Marcia completed her college education while raising her children and serving the community, earning a B.A. from the University of Delaware in 1977. In 1979, Marcia became Director of Development at Friends School, and she then served in the development office and in community relations, leading the downtown Wilmington location, for the University of Delaware. Her community involvement included long-time membership in the choir and service in numerous leadership roles, including Elder, at New Castle Presbyterian Church and in the New Castle Presbytery. Hers was an eloquent and determined voice for equity and diversity in the Presbyterian Church. Other volunteer work included service as a Head Start and Delaware Adolescent Program Inc. (DAPI) teacher, as the Community Relations Chair and Director of the Singing Group of the Junior League of Wilmington, as a volunteer at the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence in Washington, DC, and on the Boards of the YMCA of Wilmington and New Castle County and the Florence Crittendon Home. She and Joseph H. Geoghegan were the first two non-Quakers to serve on the Board of Trustees of Wilmington Friends School; they were appointed together in 1972. Marcia's love of music began with her parents' singing parties and involvement in The Brandywiners, and continued through school, college, church, and community performing groups – and her own singing parties in New Castle. She was one of those women who could do it all, from playing the piano to gourmet cooking and expert decorating, from finishing the Sunday Times crossword puzzle to enjoying the most un-Shakespearean comedy, to gardening, drawing, and painting. But her greatest gift and defining inclination was to care for others, in times of need and celebration, and just to spoil her family and friends in New Castle and at the Pink House in Ocean City, NJ. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and friend; but the meeting of her talents and passions no doubt peaked as a grandmother. Everyone should have a "Gran" like Marcia. She was her grandchildren's greatest champion, best confidant, and biggest fan. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at New Castle Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 29, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Marcia's memory to either New Castle Presbyterian Church (23 East Second Street, New Castle DE 19720) or Wilmington Friends School (101 School Road, Wilmington DE 19803). To offer condolences, visit: www.gebhartfuneralhomes.com 302-328-2312