Ellison, Margaret 'Maggie' Quinn

Margaret “Maggie” Quinn Ellison, 67, of Mount Vernon, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in her home. Her visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Choices. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.

Maggie was born in Cedar Rapids on May 21, 1944, to Blair and Ethel (Colton) Quinn. In 1966, she married high school classmate Bill Ellison. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Maggie taught for a year in Bakersfield, Calif. Military service required them to be stationed in Brunswick, Maine until 1970 when the couple returned to Iowa to civilian life. A house fire caused them to take to the road in a semi-truck, traveling throughout the United States, moving families for North American Van Lines. In 1974, they began farming near Sutliff where Vince was born. Vance and Vicki came along shortly thereafter. Bill and Maggie divorced in 1983, and at that time she went on to teach at Cornell for a short period then settled in a long and fulfilling position with Mount Vernon High School, retiring in 2008.

Maggie was an exceptional and inspiring English teacher for 25 years. At Mount Vernon High School she created a renowned speech program where she earned great respect throughout Southeast Iowa for her work in I.H.S.S.A. Highly talented, Maggie's skilled direction placed her theatre productions on a professional level well ahead of her time. An award is presented annually to the top drama student at Mount Vernon High School named in honor of Maggie Ellison. Many turned to her for her sage advice, comfort, or as someone who would willingly share a laugh, a secret, a special moment. After retirement, Maggie's social life flourished with family, friends, and community activities, including her board membership with the Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Theatre.

Maggie is survived by Bill Ellison of Mount Vernon; and their children: Curt Wilwerding (Jeanne), and their children, Kolten and Katelyn, of Glenwood; Vince (Tara), and their children, Kate, Leah and Isaac Quinn, of North Liberty; Vance (Dani), and their son, Trevor, of Solon; and Vicki Ellison (Ben Havill) of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jeanette. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Mount Vernon School District Foundation in honor of Maggie Ellison.

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Published Dec. 9, 2011, in The Gazette