Margaret Quinn was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA, on 14 July 1907 (claimed 15 July). Born to Margaret and Thomas Doran, she was one of six children, with two sisters and three brothers, all of whom predeceased her. One of her brothers, Fr. Joseph Patrick Doran, was a Vincentian priest. Margaret spent part of her childhood in Ireland before returning to the United States.
In 1929, she married Arthur Quinn, and together they had three sons: Father Bruce Quinn, a Franciscan Capuchin priest who passed away in 2016, Thomas Quinn of Fairfield, California, and James Quinn of Long Island, New York. Margaret dedicated herself to raising her three sons as a homemaker but also contributed to the war effort in 1942, working in a machine shop.
A devout Catholic, she led a simple and disciplined life, rarely socializing—something she credited for her longevity. When asked about her secret to good health, she laughed and said, “No medicine, no smoking,” attributing her well-being to a life of simplicity.
Margaret Quinn passed away at Middlesex Health Care Center in Middletown, Connecticut, USA, on 8 April 2020, at the age of 112 years, 269 days.
Quinn’s age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 11 November 2019.