Joan Marie Quinn Davis, devoted to church
Joan Marie Quinn Davis of Rockledge, Fla., formerly of Rehoboth Beach, passed away at her home suddenly Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. Born June 30, 1932, in Wilmington she was the daughter of James Michael Sr. and Dorothy Cecilia (Dagenais) Quinn.
Throughout her life, Joan possessed an extraordinary love for the Catholic Church and had the intention of entering religious life, but was denied due to having had rheumatic fever as a child. Her children are very happy that God had other plans for her life!
Following graduation from Ursuline Academy, Joan worked for the DuPont Company as a key punch operator. During her life, she was also a piano instructor at the Wilmington Piano Company, Joan was always involved with activities that involved her children and community. She and her husband Dick headed the Teen Club in Wilmington before their children’s teenage years. She was a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother, a piano teacher, and active in many school activities. Following the family’s move to Rehoboth Beach in 1970, Joan became an active member of the Rehoboth Beach Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, gave private piano lessons, and was also a substitute teacher for the Cape Henlopen School District.
She also delivered meals in the Rehoboth Beach area for Meals on Wheels. Joan returned to college, attending Salisbury State College and graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in music. She continued her studies at LaSalle University, graduating with a master of arts degree in pastoral studies. Both degrees were attained while raising her children and working full time at the Diocese of Wilmington at Saint Edmond in Rehoboth Beach and Saint Luke’s in Ocean City, Md., as the director of liturgy.
In search of warmer weather Joan and Dick moved to Florida where she worked as director of liturgy for Saint Mary's Catholic Community for 19 years. One of Joan’s greatest passions was directing choirs, which, she did at each of the churches she worked. Joan was an admired musician in both piano and organ, both within the parish as well as in the diocese. Her nieces and nephews refer to her as “St. Joan.”
Joan met and married Richard C. Davis in 1954, and together were blessed with seven children. She is survived by her children, Susan M. Dutton (Harold E.) of Lewes, Patti A. Sweimler (E. Mitchell) of Millsboro, Michael J. Davis (Susan Callahan) of Rehoboth Beach, Jane L. Stillwell (Doug ) of Merritt Island, Fla, Edward P. Davis (Andrea Vattilana) of Grasonville, Md., John C. Davis of Akron, Ohio, and James F. Davis of Millsboro; grandchildren Aimee Dutton Hughes (David), Erik Sweimler (Stacy Devers), Erin, Sean, Matthew, Nicholas, Kynan, Zoe, and Jimi Davis; and great-grandchildren, Jaydon Mifflin, Eisley and Sullivan Sweimler; a sister, Marianne Espinoza of Earleville, Md.; and brother Gerald Quinn (Jane) of Kennett Square, Pa.; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Joan was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Richard C.; her parents; two brothers, James Jr. of Sun City Center, Fla. and Richard of Wilmington; and her sister, Dorothy Ann Kane of Silver Spring, Md.
Along with her large family and friends, Joan is survived by her dear friend Pam Smith who, together with her husband Herb, treated her as a second mother. The family is forever thankful for the care and love Pam and Herb extended to Mom.
Services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Community in Rockledge, Florida Jan. 25. She will be buried Friday, March 29, at 11 a.m., at Cathedral Cemetery in Wilmington following a brief graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1136 Seminole Dr., Rockledge, FL 32955.
