Kristine Kay Quinn, 75

Kristine Kay Quinn
October 31, 1950 — April 17, 2026
Gig Harbor

Kristine Kay (Spear) Quinn, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love. Born October 31, 1950, in Spokane, Washington, Kris was the daughter of Don and Joyce Spear and grew up on Spokane’s South Hill alongside her older sister, Vicky.

Kris attended Lewis & Clark High School and later studied at Western Washington University and the University of Washington. She worked at the American Heart Association in Seattle, where she developed a lifelong love of running and fitness. She later returned to school to study design at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle while also helping support the family orthodontic practice in Gig Harbor.

In 1973, Kris married her husband, Tim, beginning a loving partnership that lasted more than 56 years. Together they built a life centered on family, resilience, and support through the many stages of career, parenthood, and life’s adventures.

Kris was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend. She remained a constant source of love and encouragement for her children, Emilee and Michael, throughout their travels and pursuits, including Emilee’s service work through AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps and Michael’s many years living abroad in China. She also lovingly cared for her mother for 19 years following her father’s passing.

Kris especially cherished her time in Maui, where she loved walking the beach, swimming in the ocean, and spending time with dear friends in her beach community. The warmth and beauty of the islands brought her great peace and happiness.

She will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, quiet strength, loyalty, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

Kris is survived by her loving husband, Tim; her children, Emilee and Michael; her son-in-law, Corey; her grandson, Connor; her sister, Vicky (Bill); extended family; and many lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Maui Food Bank, 760 Kolu St, Wailuku, HI 96793

A celebration of Kris’ life will be held on June 13, 2026, at the Boatyard venue in Gig Harbor. Reflections and remarks will begin at 12:00 PM.