Maryellen Quinn Thirolf

Maryellen Quinn Thirolf, 78, passed away peacefully from cancer on April 22, 2024, surrounded by her family. A Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 520 Viers Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland on Wednesday, May 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Graveside Service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1350 Baltimore Road, Rockville, Maryland.

Maryellen was born on January 13, 1946, in Buffalo, New York. She attended Mount Mercy Academy High School and graduated from D’Youville University in Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned a master’s degree in English literature from John Carroll University. She then pursued a Ph.D. in English at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After a rewarding teaching career, including at Montgomery College and the University of Maryland College Park, Maryellen became a professional editor. She established MQT Editing and Writing in 2005.

She is survived by her loving husband Gene Thirolf; her two daughters and sons-in-law Julie (Jason) of Baltimore, Maryland, and Kate (John) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; her son and daughter-in-law Jack (Catherine) of Rockville, Maryland; 11 grandchildren: Sydney (15); Emily (12); Silas (12); Billie (10); Jack (10); R.J. (10); Rosie (8); Harriet (6); Frances (5); Eugene (2); and Gertrude (1); many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews. Maryellen is predeceased by her mother and father Julia and Frank Quinn and her brothers, Bill, Frank, and Thom.

Maryellen was a passionate learner and serious reader throughout her life. Maryellen, a/k/a “Grams,” delighted in her grandchildren. She was an arts-enthusiast and enjoyed taking her grandchildren to see plays and musicals. She attended choir and orchestra concerts, plays, and multiple sporting events.

As a devoted member of the Rockville community for 46 years, Maryellen served as a Brownie leader, editor of Montgomery County Public School newsletters, loyal Parent Teacher Association member, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages volunteer at the Rockville Library, and longtime member of the Hungerford Civic Association.

Maryellen was a dear and loyal friend to many. She was a wonderful listener. She loved doing puzzles, playing Wordle, and watching “Jeopardy.” Her authenticity attracted people to her; she accepted and celebrated her family and friends just as they were. One last fun fact about Maryellen—she was a proud member of the Society for the Preservation of the Oxford Comma.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maryellen’s name to Stepping Stones Shelter, P.O. Box 712, Rockville, MD 20848, https://steppingstonesshelter.org/how-you-can-help/make-a-financial-contribution/ or to Save the Children Ukraine at https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/ukraine.