Loretta L. Quinlan

Loretta Lucielle (Messier) Quinlan

June 19, 1939- January 9, 2026

Loretta Lucielle (Messier) Quinlan, a woman of singular elegance and spirited wit, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026. Born and raised in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Flanigan) Messier.

Loretta shared a legendary 66-year love story with her husband, the late John "Jack" Michael Quinlan. Together, they built a life defined by unwavering loyalty and a shared sense of family. From Worcester and Holden, MA to Marietta, Georgia, and the sun-drenched shores of Singer Island, FL, Loretta and Jack were the heart of every community they joined. Whether on the fairways of the Worcester, and Marshfield Country Clubs, or at the Captain’s Table on Cape Cod, Loretta moved with a grace that made everyone feel at home.

As “the Queen” of hospitality, she was perhaps her best on the water (or at least the dock), "holding court" aboard their treasured yacht, LoJack. From sunrise to the wee hours, she was a remarkable hostess who turned friends into family. Though she claimed to have done “not a damn thing” for a living, her true vocation was embracing an expansive network of loved ones. Her wry wit, sharp wisdom, and fiercely loyal nature made her a trusted advisor to many.

Loretta was predeceased by her husband, Jack; her son, Kevin John Quinlan; and her siblings, Joseph "Joe" Messier, Jean Kimball, and Marie Gosk.

Her legacy lives on through her children, Brenda Quinlan Goodell of Hull and Michael Quinlan and his wife Jennifer of Duxbury. She was the adored “Nana” to Molly MacLennan, Grace Goodell, and Emily, Colin, Jack, and Caroline Quinlan, and a proud great-grandmother to Lily, Liam, and Logan. She also leaves her brother, Roger Messier, many nieces and nephews, and her final “crew”—the loving caregivers at Newfield House in Plymouth.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Loretta's life at a date to be announced in May. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (c/o Peter Enzinger, MD) to support continued excellence in research and care, online at:  https://www.dana-farber.org/