Nancy Louise (Whalen) Quinn

Nancy Louise (Whalen) Quinn (1947–2025)

Nancy Louise (Whalen) Quinn, 78, beloved wife of David William Quinn and mother of six, passed away on November 25, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1947, she was the only child of Donald Eugene and Eugenia Maxine (Merrigan) Whalen. She later welcomed two half-sisters, Barbara and Kathryn Shanahan. A bright and lively child, Nancy loved learning from an early age. As a teenager she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas in 1965, she attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology and a teaching certificate in 1969. She later completed a Master of Science in Instructional Science in 1991.

During her undergraduate studies, Nancy met the love of her life, David William (“Bill”) Quinn. They were married on January 28, 1971, in the Salt Lake Temple. Before starting their family, she taught Head Start in Provo from 1967–1969 and then taught first grade for three years. She left teaching when she had her first child.

Motherhood was the center of Nancy’s life and her greatest joy. She devoted herself to raising their five daughters and one son, creating a home filled with safety, love, learning, art, and faith. Her education gave her tools to create rich activities and art projects; she read to her children, took them to the library, tutored them individually in reading and math, and always ensured there was healthy, delicious food on the table.

As her children grew older, she worked again as an Educational Researcher alongside her husband. Later in life she taught preschool and served as a substitute elementary school teacher. Her instinct to nurture extended to many children within her extended family, church community, and classrooms.

Nancy’s faith was central to her identity. She served in many callings and developed deep, lasting friendships. Genealogy and family history research were lifelong passions. She felt blessed to know her ancestors through research and temple work. From 2016–2017, she served a full-time Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, which brought her great joy as she shared her testimony and expertise with others.

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David William (Bill) Quinn; her parents, Donald Eugene Whalen and Eugenia Maxine (Merrigan) Whalen/Shanahan/Norton; half-brother Baby Shanahan; half-sister Kathryn Marie (Shanahan) McBride; and brothers-in-law Kim Lavar McBride and Billie Lynn Brundage.

She is survived by her sister, Barbara Ann (Shanahan) Brundage; her children Rebecca (John) Sullivan, Jeanette (Matt) Haywood, Sarah (Ryan) Porter, Melissa (Clifford) Quinn, Brent (Katrina) Quinn, and Elizabeth Quinn; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is also remembered by her Quinn in-laws, with whom she shared many years of family life.

Her viewing and funeral will be held on December 13, 2025, at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery. The viewing will take place from 9:00–10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Graveside interment will follow immediately afterward.