March 13, 1935 – June 3, 2026
Bridget Frances “Fran” Quinlan, née Scarry, was called home to the Lord on Wednesday morning, June 3, 2026, at 91 years old—“a great age” as she said to us in wonder on her birthday.
Fran was born in Attyregan, in the Parish of Ballymacward, County Galway, Ireland. She was born in the thatched cottage where here great-uncle Will and her great-aunt Nan Ann lived, it would be replaced with the 2-story house her father Tim built for his beloved Mary Ann and the fruit of their love. Fran was born on March 13, 1935, the third daughter and fourth child of Tim and Mary Ann (Greaney) Scarry. Eight more would be born to the Scarrys, ten girls and two boys in all. She was baptized a few weeks later at the Church of Ss. Peter and Paul, Ballymacward. She was a woman of the West of Ireland, and loved East Galway and the little corner of it she was born into with the fierce love she would focus on all she encountered in this world. She loved much. She loved God, loved her Faith, loved her family, and fiercely loved her adopted home of the USA, especially New York City, which she encountered when she emigrated at 17 and took to with passionate intensity. The romance of the city that never sleeps led to true romance with Bill Quinlan, a New Yorker who had been raised in Ireland and returned to serve in the Navy during the Korean War. She loved the romance of New York, and there found the true love romance which became the purpose of her life.
The one love in which Fran flourished was with Bill Quinlan. She was his “Frankeen”, a beautiful green-eyed redhead from Galway. These two immigrants made a partnership in ‘50s New York City and built a life together there. Her fervor and enthusiasm proved the best complement to Dad’s kind and easy-going nature. They swore their love in Faith at the altar of St Monica Church in Yorkville on May 31, 1958, and only grew closer as 67 years went by. The loss of Bill eleven months ago destabilized her, and she went to join him just three days after their 68th anniversary.
Fran and Bill began married life in Astoria, but soon moved to Fordham in the Bronx as their family grew. They settled in St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, and later moved up to Bedford Park and St. Philip Neri. In the early 80s they bought a house on Mile Square Road in Yonkers, and have since moved to The Bristal Assisted living in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
Fran and Bill shared five children: Timothy (Lany), the late Brian, Father Liam, John (Vinnie), and Pamela Bowman (Mike).
Fran loved her 11 grandchildren and delighted in them: the late Daniel, Patrick, Brendan, and Andrew Quinlan; Brian (fiancée Anna Swanson), William, and John (Gabby) Quinlan; Emily (Bobby) Maguire, Alyson, Gregory, and Claire Bowman. She became a great-grandmother just over a month ago when Vance Gabriel Quinlan was born.
Fran outlived all her siblings: Moira Fitzgerald, Sheila Scarry, Tom Scarry, Josephine O’Carroll, Helen Brady, Noreen McDonnell, Reenee McWilliams, Martin Scarry, Colette Beirne, Ita Flannery, Angela Scarry.
Fran was an avid reader—and it made her one of the smartest and compassionate people. She was a wonderful conversationalist, gave great advice, cooked the best meals and cakes and porter cake. She was a loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, Momie and Mod. Her quick wit, and fierce love will be dearly missed by her entire family.
Reposing Sunday, June 7th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial Monday, June 8th at St. Margaret of Cortona Church at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.