Westfield – Mary E. (McLinden) Quesnel, 98, (1919-2018) peacefully passed into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2018 at Mt. St. Vincent Care Center. She was born on August 28, 1919 in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada to the late Edward and Alicia (Kelly) McLinden. Mary and her husband, Joe came to the United States in October 1947 moving to Westfield, MA in August 1953. Above all else, she considered faith and family the most important aspects of life. Her faith was her strength during many times of uncertainty. Her lovely home was a reflection of the pride she took and the care she bestowed on all of us. She was a gracious hostess and an excellent cook, she loved to entertain – whether it was Sunday dinner, a birthday party, a cup of tea or just her kids’ friends hanging out on the front porch. As her family grew with the arrival of grandchildren, she became “Grammie” and she always kept an open door and full cookie jar. She loved them dearly, each one was a unique individual to her and held a special place in her heart. Her name changed to “GG” as her great- grandchildren arrived and family photos of the “wee ones” were added to the display in the living room. Mary was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Westfield, past President of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, she received the Our Lady of Good Counsel Award from the Springfield Diocese, and served as a regent for the Daughters of Isabella. She worked the voting polls on every Election Day, volunteered at Noble Hospital and she logged over 1000 hours for the American Red Cross volunteering at the VA Hospital in Leeds, where her son, Gary lived for 32 years. Mary worked as a Department Manager at Steiger’s (Westfield) for over 20 years, retiring at the age of 75 when the store closed. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph E. Quesnel and her sons, Edward J., Gary Ross, Thomas J. and Joseph P. Quesnel and her sister Beatrice McGibbon. Mary is survived by her daughters, Jo Anne E. Duga (Donald) of Westfield, Maureen A. Kaminski (James) of Worthington and Kathryn Q LaPlante (Ron) of Merrimacport, her cherished grandchildren -Diane Humphrey, Steven Duga, Jacob Brady, Joel Stebbins, Daniel Kaminski and Rachael LaPlante, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Madeline (Greig) Haythorpe and many nieces and nephews residing in her beloved homeland of Canada. Her family will always be grateful for the exceptional care she received on the first floor at Mount St. Vincent Care Center. Her wit, her directness and her genuine love for us is what we will remember and we will miss the most. Her last words of wisdom to us on 1/16/18 were – “you just have to do what you have to do to get through it.” Her funeral will be held on Saturday 1/27/18, with a Mass at 10:30am in St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett St. Westfield, MA followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield. A visiting hour will precede the Mass from 9:00AM -10:00AM in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield. Donations in Mary’s name may be directed to Soldier On, Inc. 425 North Main St., Building 6, Leeds MA 01053 or St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett St. Westfield, MA 01085 www.firtionadams.com
