Mary Anne McQuillan, beloved life partner of Fred Sterner, died June 24, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with family members at her side.

She was born in New Bedford to Mary Jane (Palmer) and Edwin J. McQuillan.

Mary Anne grew up in Fairhaven and had lived in East Freetown for about 50 years. She was a graduate of Holy Family High School ('65) and earned her bachelor of science degree from Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute (now UMass Dartmouth), followed by a master's degree from Boston University.

An exemplary science educator, she spent her career at Westport Middle and High schools. She retired in 2003 but kept teaching us lessons until her last day.

Mary Anne was a stalwart, dauntless champion of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey. She was a past president and secretary of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association board of directors and advocated tirelessly for the ship's restoration. In 2019, she was among those who accepted the Don Turner Award from the USS Constitution Museum in recognition of SEMA's efforts.

Mary Anne possessed a keen intellect, was endlessly curious, and had eclectic tastes in music. A lover of nature, her interests ranged widely.

She was an expert gardener who cultivated a bountiful vegetable garden and beautiful flowers, especially zinnias.

Mary Anne was a beer-brewing enthusiast who operated FM Brewers Supply alongside Fred for several years. Over time, they branched out into making hard cider, and mead with the honey from their beehives.

An adventurous traveler, she took epic road trips with Fred and their Newfoundland dog Effie, spanning North America from Alaska to Newfoundland, as well as a number of fun "sisters' trips."

She took immense pleasure in hosting the family every year for a grand Easter dinner and egg hunt.

In addition to SEMA, Mary Anne was a member of the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Mystic Seaport Museum, American Schooner Association, and Newfoundland Club of New England, and was a supporter of the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the Community Boating Center in New Bedford.

Mary Anne loved her family deeply, as they did her, and she will be endlessly missed.

She is survived by Fred; her sisters Betsy McQuillan, Martha (the late William) McAfee, Trish (Glenn) Ashworth, and Joanna (Loring) Weeks; nephews Joshua (Devon) Renfree, Adam (Ashley) Renfree, Stephen (Traci) McAfee, and niece Katie (Dan) Tardiff; great-nieces Emelia Tardiff, Declan Renfree, and Olivia McAfee, and great-nephews Edwin Tardiff, Palmer McAfee, and Brooks Renfree; Fred's daughter Lisa (Greg) Hanson and their children, Kate, Charlie, and Sarah; Daniel Sterner and his children, Trent and Elena; many cousins; her former husband Robert Quesnel; and her dear friend, Chris Dzioba.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

In her memory, please consider a gift to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association's scholarship fund (ernestina.org) or Lymphoma Research Foundation (lymphoma.org).