Elizabeth Quinn, a WWII military veteran from England who emigrated as a war bride and made St. Louis her home, died of complications from COVID-19 on November 13, 2020 at the age of 94.
According to her obituary, “During WWII, she joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service in 1943 at age 18, serving at Bletchley Park with the codebreakers (without divulging that work to anyone including her family until secrecy was lifted in the 1970’s).” She met her “Yank soldier” John at a dance during the war, married in 1945, and soon after landing in St. Louis she became a U.S. Citizen. They traveled the USA together, and had lots of adventures over their 63 years together.
Elizabeth had a lifelong love of reading, serving as librarian on the first St. Louis County bookmobile in 1948-49 after the birth of her son, and working as a librarian for 35 more years until she retired. In her later years Elizabeth was still an avid reader and used the library’s mobile services, coming very full circle when her photo was placed on the side of a new St. Louis County bookmobile.
She was laid to rest in a private ceremony next to her late husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Elizabeth Quinn is missed deeply by her large and diverse extended family, her many friends, and all those who she helped spark the joy of reading in.
Sources:
- Seniors grace ‘cover’ of county bookmobile – St. Louis Post Dispatch May 3, 2011
- Elizabeth Quinn obituary at Bopp Chapel
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