Sr. Clare Quinn

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Sr. Clare of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, formerly Diane Quinn , 77, was called from the Sisters’ home in Princess Anne, Maryland to her Home with the Lord. Born in Baltimore on October 28, 1945, Diane Carol Douglas was the only child of Ruth H. Clopein Douglas and William Douglas.

She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Towson State and her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Before entering the convent, Sr. Clare was an innovative elementary school teacher; she also worked in the fields of pastoral care and social work. In 1988, she was instrumental in the establishment of The American International School in Qatar, and became its founding principal. It has grown from 200+ students to 2,250 representing more than 80 countries.

Sr. Clare first entered the community of the Little Sisters in 1997. In 2005, she departed in order to care for her uncle, her father and mother until their deaths. She returned to the Little Sisters in January of 2022. Sr. Clare had a heart for children, the poor, the elderly and the sick, ministering to them with an open and listening heart, extending help wherever their need could be alleviated.

Her skills and talents were generously shared through her organizational ability, sewing, artistry(painting), gardening, caring for and about all whom she served. She also had a heart for animals. She loved being a little sister which showed in her quick response to “How are you,” replying with “Happy.”

Sister is survived by two daughters, Esther Fairall (Mike), and grandchildren, Michael (Samantha), Cody (Allison), Cassidy Condon (Tyler), Lilly; and daughter, Suzy Quinn (Josh Reed), grandchildren, Christopher, Ian, Morgan, Hayden; also, great grandchildren: Gracelynn, Skylan, Joshua, Landen, Sophia, Addy, Gavin, Tysen. Sister is also survived by her Community, the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. She is also survived by former husband and friend, Martin Quinn, and lifelong friends, Carol Means, Jenny Forrester and Ilse Bramson.

Visitation will begin at noon at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Salisbury, Maryland, on Monday, May 22, 2023, followed by Mass at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury. Arrangements are in the care of Zeller Funeral Home in Salisbury.