Obituary of Bernadette L. Quinlan

Bernadette Lillian (Callahan) Quinlan, age 82, died, Monday, December 26, 2022. Our family suddenly sadly lost our beloved mother, Bernadette (Bernie for friends and family) was born on September 24, 1940 in Preston, England. She came from a large Irish family who sailed across the ocean to make their new home in the United States. Bernie grew up mostly in Cambridge, Massachusetts and graduated from Saint Mary's High School. From there, she went worked as a Book Keeper for just about every small business and department store in the downtown Boston area. She was married to her late husband, Phillip Quinlan, for 54 years. Bernadette lived a wonderful life raising her three children Pamela Quinlan Hall, Marcie Mackwell and her husband, David  and John Quinlan and his wife, Kristina to whom she was devoted to making sure they always knew she loved them in her own Irish way. There was nothing off limits to us. She was our childhood playmate and encouraged us to believe anything is possible. She enjoyed reading and visiting the library throughout her whole life. Weekend trips with her sisters and brother up to the house in Maine hold special memories and many laughs. As the years passed, she welcomed her beautiful grandchildren. Bernie spent time dotting on them, instilling the wonders and magic of childhood, the power of a good story, the thrill of a good card game and time spent baking together in the kitchen. We will miss her biting wit, sage words of wisdom, quiet but large presence and of course her mashed potatoes (because nobody can perfect her recipe) and pretty much everything that made her special to her family and friends. Bernadette is survived by her children, Pamela, Marcie and John. She is the devoted wife of the late Phillip Quinlan. She leaves behind her sister and better half Violet Sullivan who's bond is like no other, loving sister, Rosaleen Draper, brothers Raymond (Peggy) Callahan and Desmond Callahan, sisters in law, Kathleen Callahan and Janet Callahan, devoted Nana to Sydney, Sadie, Nathaniel, Lila, Isabella and Zoey, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Michael and Mary (Houten) Callahan, brothers, Joseph, Colum, James, and Vincent. Sisters Phyllis and Patsy. As a devout Catholic with steadfast faith, our mother would appreciate prayers. Her legacy will live on in our hearts. She always taught us to be good to the ones you love and be kind to the world. Visiting hours will be held at the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A), Billerica, Friday, December 30, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Funeral from the Burns Funeral Home, Saturday, December 31, at 9:00  AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish at St. Andrew's Church, 45 Talbot Ave, North Billerica at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment, Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica. www.burnsfuneralhomes.com