Cecelia Quinn

9/10/19-11/03/12

Sheila Quinn was born on September 10, 1919 in Tacoma, WA and went to her eternal reward on November 3, 2012 at the age of 93.

Sheila was the first of three children born to Frank and Winifred Ferry Quinn, who came from County Donegal, Ireland.

In 1929, when Sheila was 10, the Quinn family moved to rural Merced to farm. Sheila attended local schools and graduated from Merced High School in 1937.

1937 also marked the start of a 63 year career with Montgomery Ward’s that would last until Sheila was 81. Even then she did not retire, the store closed. Starting as a clerk Sheila worked her way to Credit Manager. Sheila rarely took vacations and had never (according to company reports at her 50th anniversary in 1987) used any sick time. Typical of her dedication, Sheila was the person who locked the doors of the Merced store for the last time early in 2001.

Sheila had three great loves in her life; her Catholic faith, friends and family, and her work. A typical day would be to leave her downtown apartment, walk to 7 o’clock Mass at Our Lady of Mercy, and then walk to the old store on 17th St. to open up. Sheila normally closed the store in the evening and would either go out to dinner with other employees or at least twice a week would have dinner at her sister Rose’s home.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Rose Reding; brother, John Quinn; brother-in-law, Luxie Reding; and sister-in-law, Natalie Quinn.

She is survived by her niece, Nancy Reding; Nephew, Michael Reding; great-niece, Rachel Reding; great-nephew, Corey Reding; and cousins throughout Merced, Pennsylvania, Ireland, and Scotland.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 8:30am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 459 W 21st St., Merced, CA with Mass of Christian burial to follow at 9:00am. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 260 W Childs Ave, Merced, CA.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.