Patricia M. Quinlan, 76, a former resident of West Branch, died of natural causes at her home in Chicago a few days after Christmas, December 30, 2025. Her passing, the apparent result of cardiac failure, was unexpected.

Since the death in 2023 of her longtime partner, Robert, Patricia spent much of her time caring for his mother.

She also oversaw an extensive rehab of the family home and enjoyed completing the goals that Robert had for the home. She spent Christmas day hosting a meal for his mother and two other women from a local assisted-living center, and was looking forward to celebrating the New Year with family.

A 1967 graduate of West Branch High School, she graduated from the Practical Nursing Program at Eastern Iowa Community College in 1969 and spent nearly 20 years working in medical offices in the West Branch and Iowa City area in general practice and opthalmology. She also worked at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, and Providence Hospital in Portland, Ore.

She and Robert lived in Washington and Oregon for six years before moving to Illinois in 1997 after Robert earned his pilot’s license for small aircraft. They started an airport transportation service in 2004.

Patricia worked as a medical assistant and office manager for a few practices in Oregon and Illinois before serving as an administrative assistant/bookkeeper for the transport company for four years.

Patricia enjoyed traveling with Robert across the United States, and loved their vacations to Costa Rica and Florida with his family. While the care for Robert’s mother limited her travels in recent years, she kept in close touch with her Iowa roots through family and friends.

Celebrating the Quinlan family’s 150th reunion in 2016 at the Robert and Maxine Flannery homestead near Oxford was a special highlight.

For much of her life, she was considered the family historian as she kept track of every birthdate, anniversary, and passing for the family’s webpage.

Born on Sept. 21, 1949, she was the third of 13 children belonging to John and Anita (Madden) Quinlan.

She was preceded in death by Robert (2023), her father (2005), mother (2009), and sister Jo (Les Butterbaugh) in 2023.

She is survived by 11 siblings: Mary (Richard) Doyle of Cedar Rapids; Jeanne (Gary) Carter of Portland, Ore.; James (Linda) of Royse City, Texas; Judy of Coralville; Thomas (Susan) of Mount Prospect, Ill.; Coleen of Iowa City; Michael (Faith) of Iowa City; Johnita of Iowa City; Maureen (John) Krob of Solon; Daniel of the Philippines; and David of Iowa City; She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial visiation will be held 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.