Victoria Quinn affectionately known as “Mama Toya,” joined her husband, Donald J. Quinn, in heaven on July 30th, 2017. Victoria died peacefully in her sleep at home, the way she wanted to, after a brief illness.
During the days before her death, Victoria’s home was filled with music and laughter from the numerous family members who camped out to take turns caring and loving her and each other, the way she wanted it to be.
Victoria was born in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico to Primitivo and Guadalupe Garcia. The family moved from Mexico to Kansas City in 1927 to escape religious persecution. To continue the love of her culture, she helped her mother and sister continue the tradition of the Mexican Fiestas in Kansas City. She also performed and recorded several records in English and Spanish with her brother, Carlos Garcia, and sister, Lupe Garcia (Sister Ann Victoria, SCL), in their group “The Las Palmas Trio.”
Aside from performing with her siblings, the vivacious Victoria was an accomplished recording artist and singer who performed with the Mexican Philharmonic Orchestra, took first place in the KC Parks & Rec talent competition and was asked by Liberace to sing with him during an appearance at the Bellerive Hotel.
Victoria and her husband Donald were brought together through their shared passion for music in 1952 while singing in the choir at Visitation Catholic Church. After their marriage, they continued to sing at Our Lady of Guadalupe fiestas, the KC Philharmonic Chorus and the Law Review.
Victoria attended Manual High School where she was a member of the Athena Literary Society. In 1948, she helped her family open one of the first Mexican restaurants in Kansas City “Las Palmas,” which remained in the family for almost thirty years. Victoria raised her children while running the restaurant and working as a legal secretary for her husband.
In 2005 Victoria was recognized with her family as UMKC Legacy recipients. More recently, she received the 2017 “Hats Off to Mothers” Award, which recognizes mothers who have demonstrated the remarkable ability to balance family life, personal achievement and widespread service to their community.
Victoria married the love of her life in 1953 and had eight children Victoria Houlehan (Bill), Donald Quinn II (Mary), John Quinn (Eileen), Kathleen Quinn Byrne (Ian), Patrice Quinn, Elizabeth Quinn Babcock, Dolores Kitchin (John) and Anthony Quinn (Diane) all of whom will miss her gusto for life, music, family and faith. Mama Toya’s lessons of love, selflessness and her constant inspiration to never settle for less than the best will be cherished by her 28 grandchildren, great-grandson and soon-to-be great-granddaughter.
After her husband died in 2013, Victoria remained living in the family home in part due to the loving care of her daughter Patrice Suzanne Quinn, who will sorely miss her.
At Victoria’s request, a private Mass of Christian burial will be held at Cure of Ars Catholic Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Sister Servants of Mary who graciously cared for our Mama Toya in her final days, 800 N 18th Street, KCK, 66102. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC
My deepest sympathy to all the family on the passing of our beautiful Mama Toya, She has been such a part of the family for so long it will be so strange to not have her there, but always remember she is always with you in your heart,,
Love from all the gang in Arklow..
Mary Ellen and I will keep the Quinn family in our prayers.
What a remarkable woman and mother. We are so sorry for your loss.
She was a remarkable woman and raised wonderful children. Lots of love and prayers for all you!!!!
Deloris, I understand now from where your positive, endless energy and beauty come. My sympathies to your entire family.
Victoria Quinn has left a legacy of what life is all about. Her beauty and talent and kindred spirit will live on through her wonderful family. She is with your Father and her beloved husband, Donald, in heaven, and is now at peace.
My sincere condolences for the loss of your sweet mother. Her family is a lasting tribute of the faith and love she taught others. Sending peace to you ❤️
Love you Mama Toya
Terrific women! Wow, I had no idea…..blessed, talented and made wonderful contributions…..
May you rest in peace.
You were such a wonderful woman who raised a wonderful family who are such a credit to you.
Stay strong Quinn family.
My prayers are with you
I am sure that God has a special place for such a gracious and wonderfully driven woman. Truly ahead of her time. So sorry to learn of her passing. Peace to you all.
Thinking of you all and wishing the Quinn’s peace and comfort as you remember “Mama Toya”, so many talents, so many memories that will keep you all together and Mama Toya alive for ever in your hearts and thoughts. My prayers go out to the Quinn Family. Great woman, mom, daughter, friend and much more, very remarkable woman.
What a remarkable woman, who raised a beautiful family! Love to you all, Mama Toya will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother Kathy. Her life is an inspiration! Truly sorry for you and your family at this difficult time.
I was so sorry to hear from Matt that your wonderful matriarch has left you. She now rests with her beloved and leaves you with so many wonderful memories and the knowledge that family is everything. You have my prayers
My prayers and heart go out to the Quinn family. May peace be with you in knowing “Mama Toya” is in a better place.
Un abrazo a la familia de la familia Orozco Arredondo de Salamanca, Guanajuato.
What a lovely story I’m so sorry for your loss
Love and prayers for all of the Quinn family!
My deepest condolence for the loss of Mama Toya.
I’m so saddened to hear of the loss of both your parents. I had no.idea. sending deepest sympathy and prayers to the entire family.. what a beautiful family they taised.. i was honored to work with John Quinn for almost ten years. I miss you all dearly. Patrice… love you and think of u often!!!
Prayers from our family.
Delores and family, I am so so sorry and hurt by the loss of your mother!! I feel so blessed to have gotten to work with Victoria and to get to know her during the brief time she was at The Forum!! All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers!! ????❤️ Amy Dimarco
Thoughts & prayers with your family Tony.
Delores and family, I am so so sorry and hurt by the loss of your mother. I feel so blessed to have gotten to work with Victoria and to get to know her during the brief time she was at The Forum!! All of you are in my thoughts and prayers????❤️ Amy Dimarco
A wonderful woman,and wonderful family. May she always be at peace.
What a beautiful, talented, and loving mother. So sorry for your loss but happy you have wonderful memories.
She was precious to so many people in the Kansas City metro and the legacy of love, accomplishment and family she leaves behind is truly extraordinary. We are so sorry for your loss. We love you and we’re praying for you.
–Jack and Loren
She was lovely and raised a remarkable family. I’m so happy I had a chance to meet her. May her memories bring you peace and joy.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounded like a wonderful person. You can tell she raised such caring children by the way everyone cared for her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families,
The Bolin family
What a beautiful ladyI didn’t,’t know her personally would see her at Mass at Christ the King church. She will always be in my “poor souls prayers,
To all the precious Quinn’s. Your mother was a delight and a true inspiration. She instilled the most incredible values in each and every one of you. I am proud to have known her and all of you! Love, prayers and peace. Maureen Fitzgerald
Deepest Sympathies to Victoria Houlehan and her family. Your mother Victoria was a beautiful, loving and extremely talented woman. Absolutely a gift from God to her family. Vicky I see why you are such a wonderful woman yourself and why Bill chose you as his wife.
Please know all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers,
Barbara E. Johnson
Columbia Mizzou Family
Such a beautiful loving tribute to a most gracious and lovely woman, mother and wife. God bless the Quinn Family and all the sweetest of memories of the match made in Heaven, together in Heaven,forever Amen.
With loving prayers for all of you,
Mary Kim, Patrick, Denis, Mr.& Mrs. Michael Henehan and Ms.Margaret Mary Henehan
Delores,
Your momma was one special lady by reading her story . I see where you get your beautiful spirit and joy for life!
I’m so sorry for your whole family and my heart hurts for you.
Take care my sweet friend of OHS class of 82.
Prayers all around you!!!
Holding the Quinn family in our hearts….
The Tallman Family
Sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. You have my deepest sympathy.
What a beautiful, accomplished lady Mama Toya was. I was proud to know your Mom & Dad, and will keep them and Family in my prayers.
Don, Mary and Anthony I am very sorry about the passing of your mom.
I just learned from a neighbor who still gets the newspaper. Again my
deepest condolences.
Mark Melchior
I always remember her as a vivacious and gracious women. Your parents were always kind and genorous to me. I remember as a child of perhaps 6 or 7 going to the first Las Palmas restaurant in midtown before the move to Waldo and 75th street. It was my first and only for the next decade or so if ethnic food of any kind. Kansas City not know for world cuisine. Probably the first time I realized that the world was more diverse than I knew. A lesson for all of us. Joy and laughter with a touch the exotic. She enriched all our lives.
She was a beautiful person who raised a beautiful family. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss.
You were an awesome lady, Tia Toya! So many great family memories. Give a big hug to Jesus for me.
“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NLT
So very sorry Quinn family. Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Querida Familia Quinn,
What a great influence your family has made upon our Moore Family from CKS days to date! We are mourning with you & praying for continued comfort in the time ahead. ¡Imagínense la gran fiesta musical que ha empezado en el Cielo! Con besos y abrazos y mucho cariño,
Catalina (Kathy) Moore Dickson
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Mrs. Quinn after mass at Christ the King church. My condolences to her family.
Thinking about your family as you celebrate the life of your mom. All the great memories will keep you smiling and that is a blessing for sure.
Mis sentidas condolencias to all the Quinn family. She was a truly beautiful woman, inside and out. I’ll always remember her unfailing smile and warm greeting whenever I visited the law office.
Carlos,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister. You have all those happy and “making music for others” memories to look back on. Your family was very blessed. When you told me you were related to the Quinn family, I didn’t realize to someone so special. Hope you are still playing music and doing well. After you left JCP we missed your bright and friendly smile. I have been retired for 5 years now. Take care, God Bless you and your family. Linda Bosilevac
To all the Quinn family,I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She as well as your Dad were always so kind and thoughtful to all the Schultz boys. As my employer for my first real job at Las Palmas, I remember her never ending energy always on display and her joy and thoughtfulness towards all her dining guest,friends and employees. I am so glad to have known both your parents as well as all the Quinn’s.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. She was a lovely person and I always can remember her beautiful smile. My dear sweet Mother knew her and her family well(Mrs.Cordon)!! Take Care and God Bless all.