Demetra Quinn's Obituary
DEMETRA PATTON QUINN died on April 23, 2011 at Baptist Memorial Hospital following a cerebral hemorrhage. She was born in Memphis, TN on September 29, 1922 to Demetra Martha Slater Patton and Harris Patterson Patton. She graduated from Lausanne School for Girls, attended Arlington Hall Junior College in Arlington, Virginia and received her B.A. degree from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College), where she was named to Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Colleges and Universities. During World War II, she was active in the volunteer American Red Cross Motor Corp. After graduating from Southwestern, she moved to New York City where she resided for 16 years. In New York, she graduated from John Robert Powers School, was a couture model for fashion designer Antonio Castillo at the Elizabeth Arden Fifth Avenue Salon, and was an active volunteer for Goodwill Industries and its American Red Cross Blood Program. After moving back to Memphis, Mrs. Quinn was a member of the Women’s Exchange, Le Bonheur Club, the Board of the Brooks Gallery League and Grandview Garden Club. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Quinn’s interests were many and varied. She enjoyed painting, needlepoint, gardening, brickwork, cooking, crossword puzzles, genealogy, theater and tap-dancing for which she took lessons for many years at Memphis State University. She enjoyed the challenge as much as the results whenever she was learning a new skill. Mrs. Quinn leaves a son, Harris Patton Quinn; a daughter, Demetra Quinn Dowdle, and son-in-law, William A. Dowdle; and, two grandsons, Harris Patton Quinn, Jr. and Alexander Waggoner Quinn. Following a private burial at Memorial Park, a memorial service will be held at the Chapel of Second Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, April 27, at 11 a.m. with visitation during the hour preceding the service and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Memphis Child Advocacy Center or to Rhodes College. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
What’s your fondest memory of Demetra?
What’s a lesson you learned from Demetra?
Share a story where Demetra's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Demetra you’ll never forget.
How did Demetra make you smile?