Melissa "Missy" Jean Quinn

Melissa “Missy” Jean Quinn, 27, of Durham NC, formerly of Clinton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 16, 2020. Missy was born at Yale New Haven Hospital on September 5, 1993 and was the beloved daughter of Lori Farace Martindale (Harry) of Clinton and James Quinn of Andover.

She graduated from The Morgan School, class of 2011 and went on to study at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and a minor in history. Missy worked as a server both in Connecticut and North Carolina. She was a very dedicated, hard worker. Many of her coworkers have shared with us how good it was to work with her. She was always willing to go above and beyond to help. Outside of work, you would find Missy exploring the outdoors; she loved nature. She was an avid reader and her place of solace would be under a tree, alone with a good book. Missy was also a people person that was very mindful of social injustices and wanted to make a difference. She would give away her last dollar to anyone who asked. She always looked for the good in others. Many of her friends said that she had a way of making people want to be better by lighting a fire in their spirit.

Traveling was always part of her plan. Happily she studied abroad while at Franklin Pierce, traveling to Vienna, Austria. She came home very happy that she had gone, and had caught the bug to travel. After she graduated and moved to North Carolina she went to Belize. She wanted to see and experience life. We know some of this also had to do with her desire to right the wrongs of inequality.

Melissa is predeceased by her maternal grandparents Cynthia and Robert Farace with whom she was very close, and we are certain they were there waiting for her at heaven’s gate. Also paternal grandparents Richard and Mary Quinn, and Lucylle B. Quinn. Besides her parents she is survived by her siblings, Rachael Nunez (Pedro), Rebecca Quinn and Noah Quinn, all of Clinton; Harry Martindale (Michelle) of Durham; Kevin Martindale of Madison; and Nicholas Martindale (Gabby) of Haddam; nieces and nephews Tierra, Lucy, Sky and Baby Girl Nunez; Abigail and Julianna Martindale; Valentine, Grey and Lucan Martindale; Grandmother Judith Martindale of Clinton; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She has a multitude of friends from high school to the present. We are so grateful for their support and love as we all navigate through this difficult journey. It helps us to know she has touched so many people with her unending kindness, words of encouragement and smile, followed by that contagious laugh. We pray all find our place of peace and comfort while continuing to share her love and laughter.

Rest in Peace our Wissy One, Cakes, Butterbeer, Twinkle Toes, Meowsa, Avery.

We Love you so much!!

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at 11 AM at Indian River Cemetery, Clinton.