The Bellevue community comes together to remember Barabara Quinn, a dedicated community member and an incredible woman who recently passed away.

Barbara was born in New York City. As a young adult, she studied teaching at the State University of New York at Brockport. She later moved to New Jersey, where she taught children from kindergarten through 8th grade, and met her husband, Jamie Quinn.

“I was living in New Jersey when she moved next door with her family,” Jamie shares. “I had the classic ‘I married the girl next door’ story.” From there, Barabara and Jamie spent their honeymoon moving across the country to California where Jamie had been commissioned in the Marine Corps. “We spent about two years there while I served as a young officer,” Jamie shares. “When I got back into business, we moved back to the East Coast for a few years before traveling across the world.”

Barbara and Jamie lived in several countries throughout Jamie’s career, including Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ireland, Portugal, and Greece. “Barabara was a trooper,” Jamie shares. “I grew up speaking multiple languages, and Barbara did not.” During their time abroad, Barabara raised their two children, Jamie and Nancy, while coping with the various language barriers.

It was difficult for Barbara to find a job in some of the areas they lived in due to government restrictions on women in the workforce, but as soon as they moved back to the United States, Barbara jumped right into community service. “She immediately became involved with Overlake Service League, now known as Bellevue LifeSpring,” shares Jamie. Bellevue LifeSpring has been serving the community since 1911 and is dedicated to supporting children and their families by providing food, clothing, education, and other services.

“Barbara joined Bellevue LifeSpring in 1976,” shares fellow volunteer, and friend, Trish Carpenter. “I’ve known her since 1987, and she was a very complex person with many talents and interests. She especially had a passion for children. She loved our educational programs that provided college opportunities for youth and struggling single moms. She reveled in seeing them all graduate and, not just succeed, but thrive.”

Barbara either served on or chaired nearly every social service committee that Bellevue LifeSpring provided throughout her 47 years of service. She was president and chair of the board of the organization for two separate terms. “I truly believe her greatest joy, however, was helping to launch the Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council,” shares Trish. “She loved supporting and watching these amazing young high school students taking on leadership roles, gaining confidence in themselves, and making a significant impact supporting the community. One year, at our annual “Step Up to the Plate” luncheon, Barbara’s table of guests were all individuals who had received educational support from Bellevue LifeSpring. She was so thrilled to reunite with them and learn of the domino effect that their successes had had on their families and others around them.” Barbara truly left a legacy.

In addition to Bellevue LifeSpring, Barbara also volunteered with the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, serving as the second president of the Botanical Society. “Every time she joined an organization, she became president of the darn thing within a few months,” Jamie says of his wife. “She had great leadership capabilities. She liked people and loved to help them.” When the Bellevue Botanical Gardens were looking for more ways to attract customers, Barbara helped come up with the idea for the popular “Garden d’Lights” attraction that displays over a million lights in all kinds of shapes and figures in the winter.

“Barbara cared deeply about the community,” shares Trish. “She was also involved with multiple other organizations centered around services and programs supporting women and youth.” These included Seattle Junior League and Seattle Junior Theater – formerly known as Seattle Junior Programs – to name a few.

“Seattle Junior Programs commissioned young artists to write new plays and put on theatrical productions for children,” shares Jamie. “Barbara was with them for about seven years while hundreds and hundreds of young students from the greater Seattle and Bellevue areas attended these plays. She worked on the staff as a planner, and was also president of the organization for a while.”

“Barbara was one hell of a person, and I’m saying that not because I was her husband, but because it’s the truth!” shares Jamie. “Barbara’s generous philanthropy, countless hours of devoted time, love of service, and caring heart will be sorely missed,” shares Trish. Bellevue was lucky to have a woman like Barabara so involved in the care of its residents, and we wish all the best for her friends and family. Thank you, Barbara, for your service.