Eileen Quinn, Mother Of Former Gov. Pat Quinn, Dies At 98

CHICAGO (AP) -- Eileen Quinn, the mother of former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and a pillar of support for him during bruising campaigns, has died. She was 98.

Quinn died in her sleep overnight at her home in the Chicago suburb of River Forest, said her youngest son, John Quinn.

Eileen Quinn was born Oct. 18, 1917, in Chicago before women could vote and took a keen interest in politics, life in the Catholic church and expanding opportunity for women. She believed strongly in the importance of voting and wasn't shy about boasting of her influence in shaping the success and character of her three sons.

Once, when an interviewer asked her son the governor where he got his passion from, she couldn't stop herself from interrupting.

"My mother didn't even let him answer. She said, `Me!' and just butted into the interview," John Quinn recalled with a laugh.

Eileen Quinn worked for 30 years as a secretary and administrative assistant at public schools in suburban Hinsdale, where the family lived for many years.

"She was the type that every wayward kid would find their way to her office," John Quinn said. "And she passed that on to all of us, that sense of caring and sincere interest."

She is survived by her three sons, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A wake will be held from 3-9 p.m. Friday at Drechsler Brown and Williams Funeral Home in Oak Park. Funeral services will be Saturday at St. Luke Catholic Church in River Forest. An exact time has not been set.