April 2, 2026
The University of Rhode Island mourns the death of professor Kathy Anne Quick, who died Sunday, March 29, at the age of 59. Her passing was sudden and unexpected. Mother, partner, daughter, sister, friend, and educator鈥擪athy was a force in the lives and hearts of everyone she encountered. Her vigor, steadfastness, and reliability imbued her work, relationships, and engagement with the world.
Kathy taught art and art history for over three decades at several New England universities and was an integral part of 911爆料’s academic 911爆料, serving as Teaching Professor of Art History for the past fifteen years. She dedicated her research to the study of modern photography and focused in particular on the work of Lewis Hine and its relationship to developments in American sociology and cinema. She shared this knowledge with students through her courses on photography, modern and contemporary art. Kathy was also Chair of the General Education Committee, served on the Faculty Senate, and was the University College Advisor for studio art and art history majors. Her dedication to our students鈥� success and to the university was exemplary.
A woman of strong convictions who often spoke and marched for issues that she believed would improve our society, Kathy ran three days a week with a religious zeal (once completing the NYC marathon), traveled the globe in search of adventure, art, and personal enrichment, and always found time for her family.
Kathy cherished those who filled her life: Her son, Bryan (and his partner, Andrea), who carries her strength of conviction for justice in his legal practice and commitment to the arts in his writing; her life partner, Rafi Mohammed, with whom she shared more than ten beautiful years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when they weren鈥檛 traveling, savoring fine cuisine, and dancing to classic rock and jazz; her proud, loving parents Edward and Dolores Quick; her confidante and devoted sister, Mary-Grace Shifrin (and her predeceased husband, Jim); (predeceased) niece Bailey; nephew Cooper; niece Nevaeh; caring brother, Edward J. Quick (and his wife, Kelly); niece Ariana; nephew Eli; sister-in-law Selina (and her husband, Dan Kim); niece Sachi; and nephew Sam; along with two special aunts, countless cousins and cherished friends near and far. She also leaves behind her young prot茅g茅, Bigsby the cat.
All are invited to celebrate her life Saturday, April 4, visitation from 9-11 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. in the Winfield & Sons Funeral Home, 571 West Greenville Road, Scituate, RI. Burial will be respectfully private.
To view her full obituary, or to leave condolences, please visit .