Kathlee Vo Quinn , September 18, 1940 — September 26, 2018

Kathleen “Kass” O’Quinn, born Kathleen Veronica Lodise on Sept. 18, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pa. , died on Sept.

26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Kass was the eldest of five children born to Vincenzo “Jimmy” Lodise and Sophie (Baczkowski). She graduated St. Hubert’s Catholic High School for Girls, surviving 12 years with the nuns.

After her marriage to Collyer Duke “Jack” O’Quinn in 1962, the couple drove from McGuire Air Force Base via the Alcan Highway in winter while Kass was in her first trimester. Kass’s first tour in Alaska included the births of two children, riding out the 1964 Earthquake in the family home in Spenard, working for the Borough of Anchorage before consolidation and operating the telex when news of the Prudhoe Bay oil discovery was reported. Kass moved to Florida for several years with her family but, in 1971, the itch to move back to Alaska became too great.

After which Kass said she only drove the Alcan while pregnant. Her second stint in Alaska included the birth of her youngest child, living in Rabbit Creek and Homer, working as a real estate agent in Anchorage, as a bookkeeper for the Wagon Wheel in Homer and lastly at Homer Electric. Kass eventually returned to Philadelphia in 1986 to be closer to her extended family.

Kass made Alaska her home for a third and final time in 2015, with the encouragement of her son, Brian. She greatly enjoyed the cold weather and the company of friends both old and new. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of living in the Anchorage Pioneer Home.

Kass was an animated person who wore her emotions on her sleeve. She was also a world-class eye-roller and was quick to laugh at jokes or pranks. Kass was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2018, and succumbed quickly.

Her end was peaceful, with her son, Brian, by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband; and son-in-law, David Fritz. She is survived by her three children, Angela Fritz, Anthony O’Quinn and Brian (Lucy) O’Quinn; her two granddaughters, Nicole and Kristin Fritz; and her siblings, Geraldine “Sherry” Jecha, Dorothy “Dot” Coyle, Peter Lodise and Vincent Lodise.

Per her wishes, no memorial services will be held.

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