Joan Quinlan, 79, of Forsyth passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Rosebud Health Care Center.
Joan was born in 1942 and was adopted by Joe and Florence Tillitzki at Forsyth, MT as a young child. Fortunately, she was able to re-connect with her biological siblings as a young adult and enjoyed years of friendship with her siblings. While growing up in Forsyth she worked for her parents at Georgia’s Café, which they owned for a few years and milked dairy cows on their small ranch before getting married in 1959 to Joseph Quinlan of Forsyth.
At first, they worked for local ranches north of Forsyth living on Flat Bottom Coulee for at least a year or more. Eventually they settled west of Forsyth on Armels Creek on their own place raising hay and cattle along with their family of three children (Larry, Lonnie, and Loretta). Joan always raised big gardens, took ceramics classes from Phyllis Bradley, enjoyed oil painting and in her later years was an avid quilt maker. She also enjoyed playing cards and visiting with family and friends. Her family was very important to her, and she kept track of all her friends & relatives even into later years when her health declined.
In addition to her farm and ranch duties at home, she drove trucks for several local farmers and then EC transportation buses to take workers from Forsyth to Colstrip during the construction of the power plants. Then she went to work for the City of Forsyth, where she kept the parks green and the flowers growing. Many young people in Forsyth had the opportunity to work with her in the summers and she took great pride in making the parks look good. In 2005 she retired from the City of Forsyth. In her retirement years she continued growing big gardens on top of Windy Ridge. Her tomatoes were the best. In 2008, her husband Joe passed away after a brief illness.
During the last decade of her life, she enjoyed the special companionship of Fred Schenk as they traveled together, socialized with friends and family, and enjoyed the life of their little dog Mitzy. Joan is survived by her son, Larry (Nan) Quinlan of Forsyth; her two daughters, Lonnie Murphy (Wade) of Deer Lodge, MT, and Loretta Quinlan (Harry Sugrim) of the Bronx, NY; three grandchildren, Amy Quinlan of Forsyth, Joe Quinlan (Katie) of Forsyth; Joseph Sugrim of Forsyth, MT; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emmilee, Jensyn, and Karston as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe Quinlan and all siblings.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth, MT. Internment followed at the Forsyth Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday March 20, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Monday March 21, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral
Monday March 21, 2022
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday March 20, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Monday March 21, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral
Monday March 21, 2022
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Lynelle Tompkins says
I always loved her big smile. Just lit up the room. I didn’t see her very often but I sure enjoyed it when I ran into her. Just a happy thought to remember.
Lisa Thomson says
To the Quinlan Family,
She’s flying with the angels! I will miss her saying good morning to me when I came on shift at 7pm! Prayers and hugs.
🙏💜
Carolyn (Cooky) Hays says
Lonnie, Larry, Nan, Loretta and all the grands; so sorry I didn’t make it down before Joan was gone. She was such a wonderful friend when I lived in Forsyth. I’ll miss her forever. Take comfort in that she is at peace. God speed your healing, remember her often! She isn’t truly gone, just going ahead to prepare a place for us. All my love to all of you at this difficult time.
Marcus belgarde says
Sorry for the loss to the Quinlan family
penny dauterman says
We all have our memories that we will carry in our hearts and they will bring us. Comfort . She will be with us still as we make our way in t his world. So sorry for your loss
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Connie Brown says
To the Quinlan family,
We knew the time was coming; but still never prepared to hear the word. Joan was one tough woman who accomplished a lot in this world! Hold tight to the memories, my prayers are with you all. I still look in the pew behind me, to the left at church; where she always sat when she could be there. May she have eternal rest in her flower and vegetable gardens, as she paints beautiful pictures!
Margo Hellickson says
To Joan’s Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Joan you are now free and out of pain. I will miss our visits and laughs together. Rest in Peace.
Lance and Candace Larson says
To the Quinlan Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I was one of the young people that worked with Joan in the late 70’s and I enjoyed my time with her. I considered Joan a lifelong friend and even though I didn’t see her often, I always enjoyed seeing her smiling face and visiting with her. We will be praying for you.
Wanda Dale says
Dear Lonnie and family,
We’re so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.
Terri L Watson Coldwell says
Larry, Lonnie & Loretta,
I am sorry to hear of your mom. She was one of a kind and such a hard worker. Hold all your memories in your heart because no one can take those away. God Bless
Kathy Reichert Kyhl says
Prayers to you all. Aunt Joan was such a hard worker and always had a great smile. Love to all during this difficult time.
Sharon Borla says
Joan was one of the most hard working, talented and kind women I have ever met. There was not much that gal couldn’t do. I will miss her. I am In AZ so am sorry that I will not be there for her final farewell. Prayers for comfort to her family and loved ones. 🙏🏻
Becky Stanton says
Nan, Larry and family
Our sincere sympathies for you all. She was a neat lady.
Iris Spence’s daughter, Becky
Carolyn (Cooky) Hays says
Here is a memory for you kids. Your Mom and my husband Frank worked together for the City. He loved playing pranks on her but I remember one time he almost went to far! Your Mom had just bought herself a new pair of work boots. Frank was painting a piece of equipment industrial yellow when she walked up to him and said “How do you like my new boots Frank? He turned around and painted the toe of her right boot with the yellow paint. She was furious! He laughed and told her it was so she could remember which one was her right. I think that is one time she almost didn’t forgive him for his nonsense. I’m glad he passed before Joan-he would have been broken hearted. I will always treasure my memories of her. Such a wonderful friend! AND–the best apple pies I’ve ever eaten. Rest in peace my dear friend!
Karla Kuhlman says
I am truly sorry for your loss. I am in Alabama and cannot make it to Forsyth. Praying for your family.
Ron Mogen says
I have known Joan and have liked her immensely from the time we were kids together in the old Hammond School along Highway #12 in west Forsyth. She was a rumbling, tumbling farm girl at the time, and it seems being in nature and making things grow has remained a big part of her life through all these years since then . I knew Joe Quinlan too. He and his brother Howard were two of the most genuine, quiet, kind cowboys I was privileged to know as a teenager. I remember being very happy when Joan and Joe got together. I saw Joan occasionally in later years when we would meet and visit at the funeral of some other old friend. It was always good to see her. I wish I were able to be home again for hers. Rest in peace, my friend.
Calene & Rick Smith says
Always a wonderful lady who was so very generous with her garden bounty…. and her sense of humor! We miss you but you left a wonderful legacy in your children.
Mike & Paula Childers says
Heartfelt sympathy to Joan’s family.
Rusty and Ruthie Johnson says
Will remember her as the hard working lady on the city crew. Always digging in the flower beds and mowing. Looked so good the years she was working.
Condolences to her family.
Linda Wolff says
I always enjoyed visiting with Joan, we kept up on Dixie Cozzens, one of her long time friends. Rest In Peace and enjoy not having to work so hard.
Linda Vannattan says
Joan was a second mother to my daughter, Bobbi. Bobbi spent almost as much time there during the summer months as she did at home. She was a wonderful person and will be missed greatly.
lynnette watson says
Sorry to hear about Joan she was a great and she’s going to be missed by all.
Doug & Cherie Heser says
To all of Joan’s family, especially with memories of Loretta in 4-H and FHS,
We are so sorry about Joan. She was a very special person and always fun to talk to. She sure loved kids! She contributed a lot to this community and will be missed.
You are all in our prayers.
Catherine Byron says
Larry, Lonnie and Loretta and families –
Joan left so many rich memories. When she went to work for the city, the parks literally came alive. After Joan took over the parks for the city, a row of weeded in irises planted by some volunteers were weeded and subsequently flourished adding a bright row of color every spring. Joan’s work in the parks showcased her unequalled work ethic and fortitude. One would see her on the mower and in the next glance find her moving the field-sized irrigation pipes and sprinklers to set the water. She had a knack for organizing each step of a task to finish it up well without wasted effort. She turned the parks into city jewels that have never shown off as brightly as when she cared for them. What a talent!
Joan and I became well acquainted after our husbands became friends. Both grew up as poor country kids that survived the Depression then served in WWII. Both were fighting serious heart issues when their friendship started. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks at the Big Sky Cafe were the two most important items on their daily calendars. After a wet spring when the roof leaked onto the ceiling of the Big Sky Cafe, the two forgot all their limitations and told the owner they would replace the ceiling that night after closing time. As the sun was setting, Sam and I arrived at the cafe about the same time as Joe and Joan pulled up. Joan and I locked eyes – the silent communication was clear – “how is this going to go?”” We had become the backup team for the Jimmy Dolittle boys, as the pair had dubbed themselves. A few minutes into the task of tearing out the water-stained ceiling, it was clear that the Doolittle boys’ hearts couldn’t tolerate this over-the-head task. Joan and I worked until 2:30 a.m. to finish the job under the direction of the Doolittle team turned job superintendents. That was not the first and not the last project that Joan and I served as backup for two old duffers that couldn’t come to grips with their limitations. We always found a way to laugh our way through it, and Joan’s ingenuity saved the day more than once. I will miss her. She was a wonderful friend.
Mary L Lohse says
Larry, Lonnie, Loretta, Nan, Wade, Joe, Amy, and all the grands. Joan was the type of person who inspired integrity in those around her; she encouraged others to be the best people they could be. That’s reflected in your life.
We will miss her greatly! Know all of you are in our hearts while you figure out how to move on without her. She was an amazing woman.
All our Love,
Todd, Mary & kids
Pamela Ash says
My sympathies to Joan’s family. She will be missed.