Marguerite d'Aprile Quigley

Marguerite d’Aprile Quigley, 68, of Essex, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 30, 2026, after an inspirational twenty-six monthlong battle with ovarian cancer. Marguerite was cherished for her warmth and her devotion to family and friends. Her passion for people and bringing them together was deeply felt through her selflessness, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own.

Marguerite was known for her quick wit and gregarious charm, she was outgoing and kind-hearted, and her genuine concern for people was widely appreciated. A fiercely devoted and nurturing mother and grandmother, she also gave her time as a leader in many school organizations, religious groups, academic endeavors, civic improvement efforts, and social activities of all kinds. She loved laughing with friends and family, having deep conversations on long walks, helping others with many community-oriented projects, and fully enjoying life. She connected people with ease and elegance. Everyone benefitted by her always supportive and helpful nature. She will be deeply missed.

Born in Kingston, NY into a large family, she excelled in her studies while gaining widespread popularity and acclaim. After earning a BFA from the College of New Rochelle she received an MA from the esteemed Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies. Along with raising a traditional and tightly knit family, she pursued impressive career aspirations and achieved great success in all her endeavors.

Artistically gifted, especially as a jewelry maker and painter, she applied her love of decorative arts as a senior editor of the groundbreaking Art & Architecture Thesaurus, published by the J. Paul Getty Trust. After moving to Princeton, NJ, she engaged new audiences as Director of Communications for Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts. Following her move to Connecticut, she served as Director of the Center for Arts Programming at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme. Capping off her lifelong advocacy for the arts, she became the North American Director of FRAME – the French American Museum Exchange – a network of 32 art museums which furthers public engagement with and appreciation of fine art museums in both countries.

She is survived by her husband, Sam Quigley, her son, Matthew Smith, her daughter-in-law, Caroline Dean Smith, and their children, Sally, Marley and Daisy; her daughter, Allegra Berena, her son-in-law, Kevin Berena, and their son, Leo; her mother, Marguerite M. Heppell, and her siblings, Camille, Vincent, Jr., Gina, Joseph, and Pier.

Visiting hours will be held at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT 06409, on April 3rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas at St. John’s Episcopal, 3 Cross Street, Essex, CT 06426, on April 4th at 11:30 a.m.

For those so inclined, the family suggests charitable donations in Marguerite’s memory be sent to the Discovery To Cure Program at the Yale’s Smilow Hospital.

[ https://yaleschoolofmedicine.donordrive.com/campaigns/In-Memory-of-Marguerite-Quigley ]