Victoria Linda

Beyene

Victoria Linda (Quinn) Beyene was born September 30, 1953, to the late Lemuel Quinn, Sr., and Gladys Quinn in Toledo, OH.

Vicky was married to the late Kassahun Beyene and later divorced. They had two children, Michael Beyene and Daniel Beyene. Her children were her life and her everything. Vicky loved her family more than anything. The constant stories she would tell about growing up in Toledo always left people laughing and reminiscing about the good times. Vicky would do anything for her family. She loved thrifting. Monthly trips to Toledo from Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her kids would always include a car packed full of stuff that she'd carefully curate to the needs and wants of her brother, sisters, and nieces and nephews.

Vicky loved creating experiences for her family. Every easter, Christmas, 4th of July, Independence Day, Halloween, she would decorate her house for the kids and create a space of joy and whimsy for everyone who visited. New Year's Eve Day parties for the Quinn kids were something special. From group games, tons of food and snacks, and all the party favors to match, Auntie Vicky created an environment for her nieces and nephews to be together and celebrate every year. From birthday parties at Major Magics to tea parties with her nieces, creating special memories is what she was all about.

After graduating from Jessup W. Scott High School, she moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and began working at Western Michigan University Landscape Services as a heavy equipment operator for 30 years. She loved her job. It allowed her as a woman to do exactly what she wanted to do to create her own future. She drove end-loaders, plow trucks, semi-trucks, and all sorts of vehicles that women in the 70s did not typically operate. This gave her pride in herself and her work to be able to accomplish anything she wanted. She retired in 2008 and grew her passion for landscaping and gardening into her home of 40+ years.

Vicky was preceded in death by her father, Lemuel Quinn Sr.; mother, Gladys Quinn; and grandmother, Ida Lee Daniels. Brothers: George Quinn Sr., Nathaniel Quinn Sr., and Lemuel Quinn Jr. Sisters: Vessie Lee Quinn and Vanessa L. Quinn, Norma Renee Quinn.

She departed this life on April 24th, 2026, at the age of 72. She leaves to cherish her memory and life her children: Michael (Nicollette) Beyene, Daniel (Tamara) Beyene. Her siblings who remain to honor her memory include her brothers Dorsey Battles, Joseph (Bernice) Quinn, and Kenneth Quinn. And her sisters: Vivian Woodson, Pamela (Larry)Taylor, Patricia Quinn, Regina Vaughan, and Karen Vaughan. Vicky also leaves behind her longtime bestest friend, Cathy Harris. She loved her deeply and cared for her like a sister. Vicky was the friendliest, gentlest, kindest, most loving person you could ever meet. The sweetness in her heart is instantly felt once you've met her and stays with you forever."