Maryellen (Schiavone) Quigley

Maryellen S. Quigley, age 72, of Cary, North Carolina, formerly of Wellesley, MA. passed away peacefully at Duke University Hospital early in the morning of Saturday, July 22nd 

She was born on March 2, 1945 in Cambridge, MA to Mr. and Mrs. U.M Schiavone (Marie Linehan). She graduated from Trinity College of Vermont, and joined the Red Cross, serving in Korea, where she met a young officer named Art Quigley who was on R&R from his tour in Vietnam. They were later married and she would give birth to her only son, Alexander Michael in 1976. Maryellen went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Gerontology from Kansas State University while the family was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Tragically, in 1982, Lt. Col. Quigley was killed in a training accident in Germany, leading Maryellen to return home with her young son to the Boston area. She eventually settled in Wellesley, raising her son with the help and support of a loving extended family, always putting him and others before herself, regardless of the challenges she endured.

She moved to the SearStone Retirement Community in Cary, NC in December of 2013 to be closer to Alexander, his wife Ashley, and her four grandchildren,  who she called “Her Pumpkins.” Outgoing and gregarious, Maryellen made many friends and was well loved at SearStone by residents and staff alike. She played a leadership role on the Inter-Faith, Activities, and Decorating Committees. A longtime fan of broadway, she had season tickets to the Durham Performing Arts Center and loved to bring her grandchildren to shows there, her favorite being The Lion King. 

Maryellen loved musicals, traveling, and dogs, but most of all she loved to give and care for others. Incredibly generous, she never forgot a gift and was always the first to reach out when a friend or family member was in need. She had a sharp wit and loved a spirited conversation with friends and family.  She showered her grandchildren with generosity, love, and affection.

Maryellen is survived by her son Alexander and wife Ashley, grandchildren Aidan James, 13, Harper Alexander, 10, Maeve Frances, 7, and Evan Arthur, 4, her sister Patricia MacDonald and husband Dan MacDonald, nephew Pierce Davis and wife Jeane, and niece Taylor Davis, Aunt Sr. Eileen Linehan, and Uncle Father Maurice Linehan, and many cousins. 

A funeral mass will be held in the Rosary Convent, 1 Rosary Drive Watertown (off Lexington St) on Saturday July 29 at 10:30 am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Newton Cemetery.  

Family friends, and others whose lives Maryellen touched are invited to make a donation in lieu of flowers Maryellen’s memory to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, www.oppeace.org, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219

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