Elaine Quinlan Obituary (1934 - 2023)

Elaine Quinlan of Winslow, Maine, passed away on August 21, 2023. She was born December 12, 1934, in Oakland, Maine, the daughter of Ossie and Hilma Dolloff. She is pre-deceased by her brother, Harvey Dolloff. She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Richard Quinlan. She is also survived by her four children: Joseph Quinlan of Hong Kong; Dr Kathleen M. Quinlan of Canterbury, England; Karen Jamison of Waterville; and Carol Wohlers of Rochester, New Hampshire; as well as her twelve grandchildren: Emily Ackley; Dakota, Makita, Jessie, Tatonka, Jerico, Jasper, Journey and Justice Champagne; Josie Eaton; and Casey and Trevor Wohlers. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Elaine graduated from Williams High School in Oakland and the University of Maine, Orono. She taught at Skowhegan High School, Yarmouth High School, and Mount View High School. She and Richard raised their children in Unity, Maine, where they lived for more than 40 years. She also volunteered as a literacy tutor, participated in the Maine Audubon Society Annual Loon Count and was an active member of the Friends of Lake Winnecook. She was the Unity correspondent for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel for many years. She later worked for MSAD 3 and the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad. She was very much involved with the activities of her four children. Together with her husband, she organized and ran the popular Twilight Track Club in Thorndike for several years. She loved being a mother and took great pride and joy in her children. In the transition to retirement, Elaine and her husband spent several winters in South Carolina. From 2001 to 2017, she and Richard enjoyed an active retirement in Zephyrhills, Florida where she was a volunteer in the Betmar community, at Gulfside Hospice, in the Richland Baptist Church and then New Hope Baptist Church. In her late 70’s, she wrote a book called Guideposts Through the New Testament that used Chapter 3, Verse 16 as a springboard for exploring the Bible. She hoped to help readers access the peace, comfort, joy, and contentment that God promises to those who invite Him into their lives. She and her husband moved back to her roots in Central Maine in early 2018 where she could enjoy time with family. She had a passion for life. She enjoyed many hobbies, including playing cards, gardening, golfing, walking, biking, reading, and creative writing. Her two cats were a great comfort in her final years. Trained as a biology educator, she took delight in the natural world, particularly the Maine lakes on which she spent most of her summers. She reveled in small wonders and embraced new experiences. The family will honor her memory at a private ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elaine Quinlan’s name to a local charity of your choice. The family welcomes your comments and memories here on her memorial page.