BERNICE L. QUINN Nov. 15, 1926 – Nov. 30, 2023

Bernice Quinn was born November 15, 1926, in Dow City, Iowa. Her father, Hans Birkhofer, moved her family to Ajlune, WA to escape the Dust Bowl. She grew up on a farm that raised cows and hogs.

She met her future husband, Warren Quinn, in the 4th grade. She and Warren were married in 1946 and celebrated 75 years upon his death in 2022. They later lived in Pullman, WA where she was a bookkeeper and supported Warren through college. They then moved to Cambridge, MA while Warren went to Harvard and she continued to support him.

Once Warren completed his Ph.D., they moved to Los Alamos where Warren worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory. They raised two daughters in Los Alamos, Diana and Patricia.  While living in New Mexico, Bernice enjoyed activities at the United Church, the Garden Club, quilting, knitting, and a weekly hiking group. Both she and Warren competed in senior Olympics statewide.

After Warren retired, they enjoyed traveling to national parks in their RV, often with family and friends. They also traveled internationally to New Zealand, Australia, China, and Europe. After their oldest daughter passed away in 2002, they moved to Kenmore, WA to be near and help raise their grandchildren – Amelia, Rosa, and Gifford.

In 2005, they moved to the Emerald Heights Retirement Community in Redmond, WA where Bernice enjoyed book club, gardening in the miniature train town, and hiking the local trails.

Bernice passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Emeralds Heights on Oct. 30, 2023. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Quinn; her grandchildren, Amelia, Rosa, and Gifford Quinn; her son-in-law, Lawrence Sanchez; her brother-in-law, Robert Swanson; her brother and sister-in-law Marv and Joy Williams; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations can be made to the United Church of Los Alamos.