Sara Page Quigley

Sara Ellen Page Quigley passed away at home on October 22, 2022, following a long illness; her loving husband and daughters were by her side.

Sara was born in in Mullins, SC in 1938 to Charles R.(veteran of World War I) and Evangeline (Wideman) Page. An only child, she grew up in the small town of Aynor in a home built by her father. Her mother taught elementary school and her father farmed tobacco. She had a happy childhood filled with various pets and lots of aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she was close. Tragically, her father, who by all accounts doted on her, passed away when she was only eight years old. As a teenager, she started spending her summers working at her aunt’s hotel in Myrtle Beach, which she always considered the best beach in the world.

Sara attended Winthrop College and graduated in 1960 with a degree in English and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1967. She was an enthusiastic and inspiring English teacher at McLean High School from 1960-1991 (except for an 11-year break devoted to raising her own children). She expected her students to do their best and was popular with them for making her classes interesting, challenging, and rewarding. Sadly, her career was cut short by a brain tumor, surgery, and radiation.

When Sara relocated to the DC area from South Carolina she lived in Arlington, VA. In addition to the career fulfillment she appreciated as a teacher, she enjoyed access to cultural opportunities at area museums and theatres and had a full social calendar while still maintaining relationships with her relatives. In 1969, she married Michael J. Quigley, a transplant to the area from Hartford, CT. After having their daughter, Kathryn, the Quigleys moved to Vienna, Virginia, which at the time seemed like a distant suburb of Washington, DC. Three years later, they lived in Boston for one year where their daughter, Caroline, was born. They returned to Vienna and lived in their home there for thirty years. They later relocated to Oakton, VA. She was a member of Vienna Presbyterian Church, and was active and engaged in many ministries through the years.

Sara will be remembered for her beautiful smile and her warm, engaging personality. Sara had an eye for beauty whether in art, nature, style, or antique furniture. She was proud of her South Carolina roots for her whole life. She engaged meaningfully with works of English literature and her enthusiasm was infective for her students. She was expressive, entertaining, passionate, brave, and frugal.

She enjoyed travelling through the years to visit extended family in New England and South Carolina. She shared her love of the beach with her family in trips to Myrtle Beach, Bethany Beach, and Niantic, CT. Other special trips included visits to Europe, Nova Scotia, England, and Ireland.

In recent years as her health declined, she remained the eternal optimist. She was a loving constant to her family and rarely complained despite her reduced capacities. In many ways, she was a miracle in that she outlived any odds placed on her health.

She is survived by her beloved husband of more than 53 years, Michael Quigley; her daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Brian Perry of Fort Worth, Texas; her daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Brad Warfel of Exton, PA, and her loving grandchildren Madeleine, Margaret, Page and Zachary. She is also survived by her cousins Jim Adams and Marcia Cashin of North Augusta, SC, sister-in-law Anne Lawler of S. Weymouth, MA, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Paula Quigley of Niantic, CT. Sara has had many wonderful supportive friends throughout the years. The family is especially grateful to Rosario Prado, Sara’s caregiver and valued friend for the past seven years.

Sara’s memorial service will occur at 10 am on Friday, October 28, at Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Food For Others www.foodforothers.org.