It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of the late Mary Cecilia O’Quinn (nee Gallant) announces her passing at Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the age of 85. Born in South Branch, NL, Cecilia was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Dorothy (Brake) Gallant.

Cecilia came from a large family and raised 10 children of her own. She had many talents and was well known for her knitted woolen socks and mittens, homemade bread, lemon pies and sewing projects. Every child and grandchild has quilts in their possession made by her loving hands. She loved live music and enjoyed dancing her Sunday afternoons away with family and friends until she was no longer able to do so because of her dementia. For eight years she slowly slipped away but always enjoyed company and a good laugh with brief moments of clarity. Cecilia was a sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Cecilia leaves to mourn with a lifetime of fond and loving memories her children: Veronica (Terry), Ursula (Emil), Melvin (Michele), Marilyn, Brendan (Shannon), Jennifer, Aloysius, Roxann (Dominic), Natasha (Paul) and Chantell, grandchildren: Cassandra, Jeremy, Gavin, Ashley, Terri-Lynn, Devon, Alisha, Rebecca, Riley, Brady, Justin, Kristen, Gabrielle, Elliot, Elena, Ava and Christian. Great-grandchildren Austin, Gracie, Tanner, Maija, Vincent, Alexander, Aubree, Nathan, Daxton, Jackson and Liam. Cecilia also leaves to mourn her brothers and sisters: Michael (Donna) Gallant, Abraham (Helen) Gallant, Alley (Joan) Gallant, Loyola (Joan) Gallant, Sylvia (Andy) Bishop, Jeanette O’Quinn, Denise Gallant and Cathy Gallant, brothers-in-law Alex O’Quinn and Jim Collier, and sister-in-law Scelena Gallant.

She is predeceased by her parents, grandson Jeffrey Pellerin, brother Lawrence Gallant, sisters: Tina Anderson, Clara Gale, MaryAnn Collier and Rosie O’Quinn, and brothers-in-law Francis O’Quinn and Gordon Gale.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the long-term care unit at Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre, Dr Al Nabbot, as well as Lighthouse Lane Recreation for the kindness and care shown to their mother over the past two years, - you have all often gone above and beyond and it was greatly appreciated by all the family.

Public visitation will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 1:30-3:30pm and 7:00-9:00 pm at St Sylvester’s Church in South Branch, NL, followed by cremation. Due to travel constraints, the funeral mass and interment will take place on August 3, 2026, to permit all family to gather for the celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cecilia’s memory to Lighthouse Lane Recreation, c/o Dr Charles L LeGrow Health Centre, 1 Grand Bay Road, PO Box 250, Port Aux Basques, NL. A0M 1C0. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Oceanside Funeral Home, 23 Read Street, Port aux Basques. Words of comfort can be sent to the family by visiting www.oceansidefh.ca