Mary Vincent Quinlan

Mary Vincent Heady Quinlan, 78, of Champaign passed away Tuesday (Jan.1, 2019).

In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated. A celebration of life is being held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., Champaign, where you may greet the family. A memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1303 Lincolnshire Drive, Champaign.

Mary was born Oct. 1, 1940, to Charles and Mary (Boyer) Heady in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She married Paul E. Quinlan of Rantoul on July 9, 1966. They were married for 45 years, and he preceded her in death April 30, 2012.

She is survived by four children, Karen (Shawn) Allen of St. Joseph, Kevin (Jo Ellen) Quinlan of St. Joseph, Krista (Jim) Borschnack of Kankakee and Michael (Jen) Quinlan of Mahomet; eight grandchildren, Austin, Ryan and Luke Allen of St. Joseph, Emily (Grant) Kerber of Gibson City and Christopher, Alison, Katelyn and Nicholas Borschnack of Kankakee; and one great-grandchild, Oliver Kerber of Gibson City.

She is also survived by one sister, Shirley Ann Heady of Sun City West, Ariz., and one brother, Charles Vincent Heady (Janet) of Cape Girardeau.

Vincie graduated as valedictorian from Cape Girardeau Catholic High School in 1958 and attended Southeast Missouri State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1962. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Prior to her marriage, she taught kindergarten in the St. Louis area.

Her life in Champaign revolved around family, volunteerism and as a parishioner at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Vincie was devoted to her family and to the raising of her children and grandchildren. She volunteered throughout the community at organizations such as MDA and the Provena Resale Shop and is on the Community Blood Services of Illinois donation Wall of Fame. She was an election judge for many years and sold tickets to Champaign Central High School basketball and football games for over 30 years. She always thought of others first and stayed in touch with so many people near and far through her legendary handwritten letters.

Vincie wanted to let all of her wonderful friends and family know how thankful she was to all of them for how much love and support they showed over this difficult past year. She loves all of you.

Donations may be made to the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen or family wishes.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Vincent Quinlan, please visit our floral store.