Ida A. Quinlan

IDA (OLIVO) QUINLAN - March 10, 1923-June 19, 2012. Nurse-Volunteer-Community Activist. Current residence of St. John's, Jacksonville, Florida.


Born and raised in Waltham, (where she resided until 2006) Ida was the daughter of the late Dominic and Marguerite (Alongi) Olivo. As one of the oldest of their eleven children, she was a life-long member of St. Mary's Parish, where she attended St. Joseph's Grammar School (and later Waltham public schools).


A member of St. Mary's Mother's Club and the Sodality Legion of Mary, Ida also volunteered for parish and school functions. A devout attendee of daily 6 A.M. Mass, she prayed the rosary for friends and family and strangers alike. Early on as a young woman, Ida graduated from Wilfred Beauty Academy in Boston, then left to help care for her younger siblings. During WWII, Ida left a promising career as a young buyer (N.Y.trips) for Grover Cronin's varied interests and volunteer work included volunteer work with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the English as a Second-Language Pilot Program at Waltham High School. An Advocate and activist for Waltham, she was an early member of the Prospect Hill Preservation Society and the Waltham Historical Society.


A Scouting Family: Ida, her husband Frank and children were active leaders. In the early 50's she served as founder of the Waltham Chapter of Girl Scouts meeting in the basement of a local Spring St. shop. Serving for many years as Den Mother and Scout Leader Brownies and Girl Scouts and Camp Coordinator during Summers.


Policewoman: Part of the First Class of the Waltham Police Department Auxiliary Policewoman Program, she proudly wore the uniform serving in many auxiliary roles to include ably crossing hers and all school children from her "beat" the corner of Lexington and Pond St.

Nurse: Later in 1965/1966 Ida fulfilled a long-held dream to enter nursing receiving her LPN (cap & pin) at age 45 then working at the Waltham Hospital and many local Nursing homes as night nurse.

Hobbies: Lively and unpredictable, Ida enjoyed swimming (she lobbied & began a Saturday A.M swim hour for girls at the all male Waltham Boys Club) then at the Lexington St. YMCA. Horseback riding, music, and "shopping" for her family & friends!

Pre-deceased by her husband Franklin "Frank" E. Quinlan, Sr. and one son Franklin "Frankie" E. Quinlan, Jr. (Jesuit Scholastic) sisters Rose Nickerson, Mary Plant, and Theresa (Rizzitano) Olivo, and brothers Sebastian Wm. "Bill" and Robert "Bobby" Olivo, Ida will be "celebrated home" at a Mass of Resurrection (10 A.M.) St. Mary's Church (133 School St., Waltham).


Ida is survived by her daughters, Jean L. "Quinlan" Ray and her husband, Wm. C. "Chris" Ray, Jr. of Gilford, N.H. Marcia E. Quinlan-Rogero and her husband Michael J. "Mike" Rogero, Sr. of St.John's Florida, along with brothers, Dominic "Mickey" Olivo (Newton, MA), Nicholas "Dickey" Olivo (Holden, MA), sisters Jean Glynn (Chatham, MA), Margaret Cormier (Waltham, MA), and Anntoinette Marella (Abington, MA), fifteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren (she was GG) and many nieces and nephews as favorite "Auntie Ida"!

Family and Friends are invited to honor this remarkable woman by gathering at Joyce Funeral Home (245 Main St., Rte. 20, Waltham) Tuesday, June 26th from 4PM – 8PM and again at 9A.M. Wednesday, June 27th before leaving in procession to St. Mary's Church where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM. A Graveside Service and Burial at Calvary Cemetary Waltham will follow.


Memorial Donations (in her name) may be made to: Salvation Army (33 Myrtle St., Waltham, MA, 02453 or American Red Cross (139 Main St., Cambridge, MA 12142 (ATTN: Financial Development)