Catherine Ann Quigley

1929 - 2022

BORN

1929

DIED

2022

Catherine Quigley Obituary

QUIGLEY

CATHERINE ANN QUIGLEY

Catherine (Kate) Ann Quigley, 92, died peacefully on May 20, 2022, from complications due to a recent fall at her home. Kate was born on December 19, 1929 in St. Paul, MN, to Gertrude and Aloysius Heinz. Although Kate lived most of her life elsewhere, she forever cherished her Minnesota roots. In 1947 she graduated cum laude from St. Joseph's Academy. Kate attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, where she was active in creative writing and the debating club. One summer she was lucky enough to live and study music with the Von Trapp family where she was personal secretary for Maria Von Trapp. Following her graduation in 1951, she taught at numerous schools, teaching all grades from kindergarten to high school, including a stint in Germany where she met her future husband.

In 1957 Kate married Thomas E. Quigley, and the growing family moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Annandale, VA, where she dedicated the next two decades of her life to raising her three children. During the Vietnam War era Kate became active in the anti-war and civil rights movements.She was a supervisor on the Fairfax County Library Board and an active member of the Minnesota State Society. Still possessing a beautiful singing voice, she sang for the choir in her local parish. In her 60's she worked for the Council for the National Interest and in her 80's she joined the American Chesterton Society.

Kate did not have a mean bone in her body, and saw the good in everyone she met, including strangers. She will be greatly missed by her three children: Tom (Tracy) of Hartford, CT; Helen (Chip) of Richmond, VA; and Monica (Chris), of Arlington, VA and by her beloved grandchildren: Lon, Elizabeth, and Cara Nunley, and Christophe, Nicholas, Alexander, and Matthew Gerlach, to whom she was completely devoted. Kate was predeceased by husband Tom, her sister Rita Lange, and is survived by her sisters Mary Levin, of Mill Valley, CA, and Helen Heinz Tate, of Hendersonville, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom loved their Aunt Kate.

Kate loved baking, gardening, reading, debating current affairs, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her deep Catholic faith and belief in the saints nurtured and strengthened her throughout her long life. As her health declined in the last year she adopted a new phrase she ended calls and visits with: "Make today your masterpiece," which reflected her philosophy of looking at the bright side of life.

There will be a memorial service honoring Kate's life later this year, along with a full Catholic Mass. Donations in her memory may be made to Bethlehem University of the Holy Land -- https://www.bethlehem.edu/give-bethlehem-univeristy/ or St. Joseph's Indian School, https://www.stjo.org/help-native-americans/memorials/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 5, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Catherine Quigley

2 Entries

Catherine A. Kocourek Genovese

June 7, 2022

Catherine and I met at a St. Catherine University alumnae reception in Arlington, VA, in mid-2011. It was noted that we were both English majors and had the same first two names, which led to further conversation. Although she was my mother's generation, we became fast friends. Catherine was elegant, intelligent, witty and friendly, reminding me of the people I grew up with in the Twin Cities. Her prodigious memory and ability to quote writers, poets, philosophers, saints, college mission statements and a plethora of other sources from her school years and beyond was a constant source of food for thought and conversation. She loved to debate. Oh, how she loved to debate! As we were from opposite ends of the political spectrum on the Vietnam War (she protested, I signed up for Marine Corps officer training in the middle of a protest) we had some interesting debates, but always in the spirit of friendship and always loving each other. We agreed upon many things - love of family, our faith, the importance of women's colleges, especially Catholic women's colleges, a liberal arts education, and the value of friendship. During the last two years we were limited to many telephone calls due to Covid, but I always hung up feeling her warmth and loving, cheerful presence. I will miss Catherine deeply and she will remain always in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences to her family whom she so loved.

Gerry Bruen

June 5, 2022

A wonderful woman and friend. May she rest in peace.

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