Holly Elizabeth McQuinn

December 16, 1972 - April 30, 2022

A Creative Life Holly Elizabeth McQuinn was born December 16, 1972 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was determined to experience as much as she could in this life. Her eagerness was apparent from the start, as she was born before her mother was wheeled all the way to the delivery room. Raised in southern New Mexico, she and her husband Erik created their family home in Alaska for nearly 20 years, recently moving to Colorado. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California Santa Cruz and an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from New Mexico Military Institute. A passionate artist and designer, Holly also extensively studied art history, painting, ceramics and sculpture at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, and the Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA. While she was formally educated in philosophy, fine art, computer and natural sciences, she also celebrated her informal education in backcountry trail building, glass blowing, mycology, guitar building, and digital fabrication. She loved photographing flora and fauna while hiking in the wilderness, and applied the natural textures and recurring patterns she discovered there as motifs in her work. Holly exhibited her art throughout the western United States and used her creativity and interpersonal skills in many capacities, including graphic design, community development, event organizing, and teaching. A true maker, she wove these talents into her domestic life and knitted hats for friends, sewed stuffed animals for her young sons, created elaborate halloween costumes, and was a culinary conjurer in the kitchen. Holly was a dedicated mother to Dylan and Kian. She fostered and encouraged their natural curiosities and talents, and instilled a strong sense of confidence, as well as compassion for the world around them. She celebrated her time in this body through movement, whether that was instructing a class of seniors in water aerobics or busting a move on the dance floor. Well-read, adventurous, and playful, Holly practiced mindfulness daily to create a life centered in joy. Our beloved Holly passed on April 30, 2022 at her home in Fort Collins, Colorado, after an eight-year journey with cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her husband and partner of twenty-three years, Erik Jackson, and her two sons, Dylan and Kian Jackson. She is also survived by her mother and father, Sandy and Dana McQuinn of Las Cruces, New Mexico, in-laws Jim and Geri Jackson of Deming, sister-in-law Erin Jackson and sisters Marce Bradley and Ashley McQuinn. Holly will be missed by her nieces and nephews, Jessamy, Addison, Kade, Quinn, and Tatum. Holly was a community builder who inspired others to live fully and love deeply. Her curious spirit, wicked sense of humor, fierce intelligence and stunning smile will be remembered, always. A Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 4th, 2022, 4:30pm - 8:30pm at 3030 Mesilla Verde Terrace, Mesilla, NM.