Dr. Suzanne Treadwell Quinlan died on March 21, 2018, after a long struggle against Alzheimer’s disease.
Suzanne was born in Arcadia, Fla. to Lowndes Treadwell and Ida Mae Cocowitch. Graduating from De Soto High School in 1961, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in economics from Florida State University in 1964, where she was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1964 to attend the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, from which she earned a Master’s degree in 1966.
She interned for the Agency of International Development, Department of State while pursuing her Master’s degree. Following her 1966 graduation from the school of foreign service, she joined the U.S. Department of State, where she worked on the Vietnam desk, analyzing economic conditions in the Republic of South Vietnam.
While living in Washington she met Marine Corps officer, David Quinlan and the two were married in 1965. They settled in Alexandria, first in Hollin Hills and later in Old Town on Captain’s Row.
After having children, Suzanne chose to stay home and focus on raising her family as well as volunteer opportunities in Alexandria.
However, she continued to study economics at Georgetown University where she received a University Fellowship as well as an H.B. Earhart Fellowship. In 1978, she earned a Ph.D. in mathematical economics from Georgetown.
She was an active member of the Alexandria Community Y (“ACY”), which later became the Campagna Center. At the ACY Suzanne served on the board of directors as well as the steering committee of the Junior Friends of the ACY, later becoming chairwoman. She served as an officer and on the board of directors of the Campagna Center from 1985 to 1998. Suzanne also served as president of the board from 1991-1992 and again from 1994-1995.
Shortly after earning her Ph.D., Suzanne discovered she had a passion for light and form. She used her mathematical mind to reframe her life in the form of a fine arts photographer. She took her first photography courses at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, and after exhibiting work at the Torpedo Factory Art League in Alexandria, in 1989 she was juried into the Factory Photoworks Gallery, now Multiple Exposures Gallery of which she was a member until 2011.
Additionally, her award-winning photography was featured in the U.S. Arts in the Embassies Program, and was juried into numerous group shows throughout the metropolitan DC area. She was a member of Spectrum Gallery in Georgetown as well as Studio Gallery in Dupont Circle.
As a member of the Torpedo Factory, Suzanne also served on the board as treasurer.
Her family describes Suzanne as a remarkable person of limitless intelligence and acerbic wit, who’s creativity enriched the world; she showed an exceptional amount of warmth, generosity, and patience to those who loved her. She is dearly missed.
Suzanne is predeceased by her husband, Colonel David Quinlan, USMC, and is survived by her sister Nancy; son Lowndes and daughter-in-law Cynthia of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter Kristen and son-in-law John of Alexandria, Va.; grandchildren Collin, Dava, and Mairin, as well as sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Richard, nephew Bryan, and niece Suzanne.
A memorial service was held at Christ Church, Alexandria, on March 28. Suzanne will be interred at Arlington National cemetery on Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather in the Administration building at 12:15 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Georgetown University: Attn Memory Disorders Program, Building D, Suite 177, 4000 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20057. It is also possible to make donations via the program's website: memory.georgetown.edu.