Mary Spence Quick

Mary Quick passed away on December 24th. Mary was a proud New Yorker. She was born June 4th, 1931, in Manhattan and grew up in New Rochelle and the Bronx.  Her parents (Charlie and Mary Spence) immigrated from Northern Ireland in 1929. The Great Depression was especially challenging for her family because her father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when she was very young. At the age of eight, she started caring for her father after school and in the evenings so that her mother could work the 3:00 to 11:00 pm shift at a bakery. Having the daily example of her parents, Mary learned independence and fortitude. These traits would define her throughout her life.

Mary graduated from Evander Childs High School a semester early and went straight to work in Manhattan. She worked for Reddy Magazine, a camera company, and a contractor for the Atomic Energy Commission. Education was a life-long priority for Mary and while in the city she enrolled in classes at Columbia University.

Mary was introduced to Allen Quick by mutual friends and they married in 1954. They moved to Bloomfield, New Jersey where their two sons (Al and Don) were born. Allen Sr. was a geologist with Citgo and in 1963 was transferred to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Mary and Al’s daughter Sarah was born there in 1964. They moved to Tulsa in 1969. While in Tulsa, Mary took additional college courses.

In 1972, Citgo transferred Allen to the Denver office, and they bought a home in Wheat Ridge.  While her three kids were in school, Mary continued taking college courses. While in college, Mary had internships with the Colorado Secretary of State and the Colorado Women’s Bank. Mary went on to receive a B.A. in Business from Loretto Heights. After graduating, Mary held various jobs. Her favorite was as a tutor for ESL students at the Community College of Denver. She held that position until she retired at the age of 82. Her children’s education was also a priority. Mary and Al put their three kids through college and Don through law school. All three were able to graduate without having student loans. 

Although pulmonary fibrosis and Covid limited her activities in her final years, she still enjoyed her friends and family. Mary was very proud of her family and was a terrific mom and grandma. Mary leaves three children, Al, Don (Kerrie) and Sarah (Peter), five grandchildren (Tyler, Robert, Dylan, Maddie, and Hannah) and her nephew Bill Donovan (Tania).  Mary was predeceased by her parents, her husband Allen, and her sister Joyce. Mary was incredibly grateful for the care she received from her son Al, BeAnn Clark, Byron Denis, Rhoda Bell, all of her other caretakers at Sunrise Living and Lutheran Hospice.

A memorial service is planned for 2 pm on January 20th, 2024, at Jefferson Ave. United Methodist Church.