Elaine L. McQuillin

With profound sadness we share that Elaine McQuillin passed away unexpectedly in a car crash on October 3rd. Our hearts are broken and our world will never be the same. Elaine’s life will forever be defined by one word: love. She deeply loved and was loved by so many. Elaine shared a timeless love with her childhood sweetheart and husband of 44 years, Ed McQuillin. She was a selfless and devoted mother to her two children, Erin McQuillin Reese (Eric Reese) and Eric McQuillin (Mary Margaret McQuillin). She endlessly adored her 3 grandchildren, Brady, Davis, and Gracie, who knew her as their beloved “Mas”.

Elaine was the daughter of Robert Young and Lois Young Fish (James Fish). She was the oldest of four siblings, David Young (Lorie), Karen Mann (Matthew), and Julie Davis (Kevin), whom she loved along with her many nieces and nephews.

She spent her 25+ year career as an art educator, where she was able to share her love of art and make a mark by encouraging others to pursue their own creative interests. Her community of fellow educators held a special place in her heart. Most of her career was spent teaching at the elementary schools in the Unionville-Chadds Ford school district, in particular Unionville Elementary. She also taught at the Tatnall School, the Phillipsburg school district, and the Wilson Area school district where she was raised.

Elaine was a graduate of Wilson Area High School, with a Bachelors from Kutztown University and a Masters of Education from Wilkes University. Her lifetime love of learning extended to her own career and the meaning she found from teaching children. It also shined through in her enthusiasm and deep involvement with her children and grandchildren’s education and lives, and activities in the community.

She filled her life with the things she loved, with art, visiting museums, and pursuing her own projects, with an exceptional talent in calligraphy. Traveling, reading, and playing pickleball with her friends brought her enormous joy. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her family and friends.

She was the heart of our family, and her kindness, intellect, and humor brightened our days. We will miss having her next to us, but we will talk about her often, remember her always, laugh about the countless happy memories we shared, and live with the lessons she taught us and her enduring love.

A public memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on October 29th at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA, where Elaine and Ed have been longtime church members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to organizations that were near to Elaine’s heart: Brandywine Valley SPCA and the YMCA of Kennett Square.

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