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Obituary

Susan Lee (Paolini) Quinn, age 74, died at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren on March 15, 2024. A lifelong Columbus resident, Susan attended St. Mary of the Springs and graduated from Bishop Hartley High School. A born caregiver and the oldest of 6 children, Susan's first calling was motherhood, and she devoted her life to her 4 children, instilling her values of family first and kindness to others. While managing her busy household, Susan found "spare time" to earn a nursing degree from Columbus State Community College. Her warm sense of humor and upbeat energy made her a favorite among patients and coworkers, and she enjoyed a 24-year career as a night-shift medical surgical nurse at Riverside Methodist Hospital. In 2000, Susan's first grandchild arrived, and so began Susan's favorite role: doting grandma. Within 5 years, Susan was blessed with 11 grandchildren, building special relationships with each. She truly lit up in their presence, hosted individual birthday sleepovers, and supported them in all endeavors. A gentle woman with a strong, independent spirit, Susan was also a kidney donor to her sister, a foster mother, a frog collector, a frugal shopper who could double-coupon like none other, a fitness enthusiast with her zumba pals, a green thumb, a devoted Catholic, a daily caregiver to her father for years, and more. She found joy in the simple things, such as tending to her plants, sharing a meal with loved ones, attending (so many!) ball games, or reading on the beach at the water's edge. Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Alfred Paolini, her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Frank Circelli, brother Jeffrey Paolini, and nieces Angela and Amy Dean. She is survived by her children Jennifer North, Julie (Jerry) Searls, Gregory (Roxann) Quinn, and Anne Ryan; grandchildren: Austin, Owen, and Ryan North; Victor, Isaac, and Susanna Searls; Molly and Brady Quinn; Calahan, Donovan, and Courtney Ryan; and great-grandson Malcolm Quinn. It is difficult for a caregiver to accept care, but Susan was blessed with some of the best: Columbus Oncology nurses made her tough days a bit brighter, COPC home health care nurse Esther is a shining light of positivity and support, and Ohio Health Hospice nurse Mindy helped us walk her home gracefully. We will be forever grateful.