Susanne Quinn

The eldest of two children, Susanne (affectionately called “Susi”) was born in Gotenhafen, Germany on February 24, 1941, entered the United States on June 8, 1949, and became a U.S. citizen on January 23, 1956.

Susi’s artistic talent became evident at an early age. At age 18, she was thrilled to have been accepted to the Boston College of the Museum of Fine Arts. As fate had it, she was not able to begin her studies there because during the summer she was diagnosed with polio and never walked again. Despite Susi’s disability, she made the most of life. After spending a year in rehab in Georgia at the Warm Springs Foundation, created by Franklin D. Roosevelt, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Fine Arts at Boston University and then taught art at King Philip High School in Wrentham, Massachusetts.

In 1969, Susi was invited to the National Art Educators Associaion conference in New York City to accept a $1,000 scholarship, which she used to pursue a Master’s degree in Fine Arts. Refusing to give in to her disability, she traveled around the U.S. in her Mustang, looking for a campus that was accessible. She accomplished this goal at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Susi met the love of her life at orientation -- Jim Quinn, who was a disabled Vietnam veteran. Susi and Jim married June 14, 1970 and moved to Largo, FL to start a new life together. Their son Adam was born 3 years later on July 14, 1973. The Quinn household was one full of love, laughter, optimism, and activity while Adam was growing up.

Susi, like Jim, loved to travel and together, they traveled quite a bit. Their travels together included: trips to New York City to see Jim’s relatives and take in Broadway shows, a cruise in Alaska combined with activities on land, such as snowmobiling and Las Vegas to test their luck in the casinos and enjoy many shows. The furthest they traveled together was a trip to Australia, and one to Estonia to visit Susi’s relatives.

In addition to being a very creative artist, Susi was gentle, kind, generous, courageous, funny, patient, tolerant, and never complained about her disability. She was also a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend. Our world will not be the same without her.

Susi is survived by her son Adam, her grandchildren, Oona and Indus and her sister, Maria Paul.

Susi’s service will be held at the Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor (2405 Philippe Parkway) on Saturday, January 4 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the John Bosco Center at the church.

Instead of flowers, you can make a donation online to the ASPCA in memory of Susanne Quinn, who dearly loved cats. Go to aspca.org, click on “DONATE”, and follow instructions.