In Memory of Sister Mary Francine Quillin
August 25, 1937 – October 20, 2024
Sister Mary Francine Quillin, 87
, daughter of Edward and Anna “Grace” (Ronan), was born Maureen Louise Quillin on August 25, 1937, in Waukon, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation on September 8, 1955, and professed her perpetual vows on August 21, 1963.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque, Iowa, a Master of Arts from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a License in Canon Law from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy. Sister Francine served as a junior high teacher in Catholic schools in Osage, Iowa and Oregon, Illinois, where she also served as principal; as a theology instructor at Loras College and Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa; in religious formation and congregational administration for the Sisters of the Presentation; as director of the Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Dubuque; and as pastoral associate and volunteer pastoral minister at the Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque. She served on the leadership team for the Sisters of the Presentation from 1977 – 1985.
Sister Francine celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2015 and retired to Mount Loretto in 2019. Reflecting on her varied service, Sister Francine said, “I think what was most valuable about my years in all those positions was the people with whom I worked and the people I met through the various ministries. They exemplified such examples of faith and endurance in their own hardships, and to be able to be present to people in those needs is really a gift.” Sister Francine enjoyed music, reading and being with her family and friends. She valued prayer and community service.
Surviving are her nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 69 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Connie (Gordon) Donlea, Mary Frances Quillin, and Dona (LeRoy) Pope, her brothers, Earl, Dennis (Charlotte) and Harold.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.
