Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Clark Quinn

T’was a glorious day, September 20,1933 when Elizabeth Quinn was born to Irish immigrants, William and Rose McKenna Clark. Known as "Betty Ann", she was their 4th of 7 children and was raised in Kearny, NJ, where she lived for most of her life. She attended St. Ceceila’s High School, graduating first in her class in 1951 and then began her employment with NJ Bell. There she made life-long friends, enjoying an active social life with trips to West Point dances and weekends at the Jersey Shore. Of course, it wasn’t long before she caught the eye of a “confirmed bachelor” and sportswriter, Bill Quinn at the Osprey in Manasquan, NJ, where their love story began.

Bill and Betty married on May 4, 1957 and they soon welcomed 4 children: Jeanne, Carol, Jimmy and Terry in quick succession. Needless to say, Betty’s days were happily filled with all things family and she cherished those years in Kearny, especially with a bevy of close knit neighbors and friends on Madison Avenue. Her talented green thumb was evident with her breathtaking rose bushes and bountiful tomato plants. Holidays were Betty’s favorite times with family and friends around the dining room table, carrying on, long into the wee hours.

Betty embraced her Irish heritage and frequently travelled to Ireland with her beloved sister, Rosemary and husband, Rich having adventures and creating havoc along the way. This led to travel throughout Europe and many memories to share, especially crashing a banker’s soiree in Regent’s Park. As much as she enjoyed travelling abroad, her real love was Normandy Beach, NJ surrounded by her growing family and her best beach-loving buddy, Pat Boardingham. And, after a long day on the beach, she always thrilled the clan with her crowd pleasing “sauce supreme” over spaghetti.

However, Betty’s best years were ahead of her as she became a grandmother in 1990, affectionately named Mom Mom by her first grandchild, Daniel. Bridget, Kerry, Jack, McKenzie and William soon followed. Mom was a devoted grandmother, spending endless hours babysitting, when she wasn’t knitting sweaters and sewing elaborate Halloween costumes. She was also known to do a little chasing of the grands around the dining room table and leaving notes that the inmates were running the asylum. A vocal cheerleader at Little League and soccer games, she most enjoyed being a part of their lives, a gift the grandchildren cherish.

In her later years, Betty was blessed to spend time with Herica, who lovingly indulged her with jelly donuts, mystery car rides and all things Elvis. She was also a favorite among the talented and dedicated staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital, who sweetly referred to her as Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth enthusiastically embraced her Catholic faith implicitly, which carried her through her challenging moments that she endured these last few months with great bravery and dignity.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill in 1990 and her beloved son, Jimmy in 2008. She is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Quigley (Dan) and Carol Houston (Bill) and her son, Terrence Quinn (Odelia) and her grandchildren Daniel, Bridget, McKenzie and William Quigley and Kerry Hess (Matt) and Jack Houston. She is also survived by her brother, William Clark and predeceased her siblings: Herbert Clark, Rosemary Finelli, Irene Roos, Joseph Clark and Eugene Clark.

Memorial Visitation will be on Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 5-8pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. A Memorial Mass for Betty will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 10:00am at Assumption Church, 91 Maple Avenue, Morristown. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001 (www.alz.org).