Quinn's husband hopes to turn his grief into a force for good

Friends said Vanessa loved animals and took in a couple of stray dogs. One, a happy spotted dog named "Stray," and a feisty brown puppy named "Jackson."

"She spoiled animals and children like they were her own," said family friend Deidre Russo.

The dogs also miss Vanessa, said Russo, as she scratched behind Stray's ears.

"He's really been sulking around my house," Russo said. "He's very depressed."

Rich Quinn said he wants to channel his grief into something positive. He has set up a Web site in his wife's memory, vanessaquinn.com, where people can contribute to causes she supported and share their memories of her.

"Vanessa, thank you for a beautiful life and for the everlasting impact for good you have had on us all," her co-worker Scott Stuart wrote in a guest book posted online. "My prayers are with your family in this difficult time."

Many who did not even know her wrote words of comfort to Quinn's family.

"The photograph of Vanessa is so engaging, her warm eyes. It seems like we know her, though we don't," wrote the Park family. "She must have been a very special person, and we hope that if any good can come from her death, that it will be through the people who love her. Our prayers are with your family and friends at this difficult time."

Memorial funds are also being set up at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati and at the Humane Society of Utah, Rich Quinn said.

"I just wanted her to know that she made me a better person just by being her," he said.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Friday at the Larkin Mortuary in Sandy. Another funeral service will be held next week in Ohio. Her ashes will be split between family in both states, Quinn said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com