Eileen Quinn, mother of former Gov., dies at 98
Irish mothers are renowned for fierce protectiveness of their broods, and Eileen Quinn was no exception.
Though well into her late 90s and largely confined to a wheelchair, the mother of former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn was a fixture in both of her son's campaigns for governor, speaking out unabashedly when she felt he was being unfairly criticized, be it by his opponents or members of the media.
That included calling his opponent, current Gov. Bruce Rauner "not truthful" and "not very polished" during the race last fall.
"I just think that she knew that he needed that support," youngest son John Quinn said. "She took the bullets - that was just her nature. She was very protective that way."
Quinn, a Hinsdale resident for 47 years, died in her sleep early Saturday at the age of 98, her sons confirmed.
Eileen Prindiville was born on October 18, 1917, in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, a year when the Chicago White Sox won the World Series and women still did not have the right to vote.
In 1943, she married Patrick Quinn Jr., a naval officer, during a three-day leave in January. The pair took the train to Indiana, honeymooning briefly before Patrick returned to serve in the Pacific.
Shortly after having their first child, Patrick III, in 1948, the Quinns bought a lot in Hinsdale, building a modest ranch home there for $20,000. Two other sons, Tom and John, followed, with Eileen Quinn making a daily practice of asking the boys the same question each night: "What did you do for love today?"
Along with raising her own sons, Mrs. Quinn worked as a secretary in Hinsdale schools for 30 years, describing, in a 2010 interview with the Daily Herald, "infringing the rules a bit" once in awhile to help a few children stay out of the principal's office, noting it was "all for good."
She said then she always knew her eldest son would lead a life of public service.
John Quinn, a longtime teacher and basketball coach at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, recalls sitting around the dinner table when Pat first formed the Illinois Coalition for Political Honesty in the 1970s, family meals continuing to be at the heart of big decisions in the decades to follow.
In her final days, her three boys each took turns spending the night with her. The former governor stayed with her on Thursday, followed by Tom Quinn on Friday.
Along with her sons, Eileen Quinn is survived by eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. A wake will be held at Drechsler, Brown and Williams Funeral Home in Oak Park from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in River Forest on Saturday.