Angelique Marie Harkin

Angelique Marie Harkin, of Kosse, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the age of 53, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life is planned for November 5, 2022, from 2 PM through 5 PM on the grounds of MeadowCreek Park in Kosse, Texas.

Angelique was born November 25, 1968, to John Andrew Quirein and Marie Catherine Louise (Borck) Quirein in Texas City, Galveston County, TX.  She grew up in Dickinson and graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Houston in 1987.

She was united in marriage with Christian Shawn Harkin on December 23, 1995, in Crystal Bay, Nevada. They lived in Luling while she worked in Austin, and he was an officer of the Austin Police Department. 

Angelique earned her BA from the University of Texas in Austin, and after working a few years, earned an MBA from St. Edwards University.  While growing up, Angelique trained in ballet dancing, which she continued into her college years, building the foundation for her lifetime of poise and grace.

Angelique liked working for start-up companies in the dot.com field and enjoyed the risks and challenges these companies offered. During her career she worked for Fortis Health Insurance, Keller Williams International, Handtech.com, 360Training.com and a private venture providing educational material for real estate company employees. Her last career change was with J.P. Morgan Chase banking, where she was still employed throughout the remainder of her life. 

Angelique grew up loving animals, with a special place in her heart for dogs, cats, and horses, and she pursued her love of riding horses with her daughter Kaitlyn. They trained and participated in Hunter Jumper training and shows in Austin, later progressing to compete in Eventing, an equestrian competition triad involving dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country.

Angelique and Shawn bought property on Lake Limestone in 2007 planning to build a vacation home upon his retirement. In 2011 construction began during which they decided to relocate, moving full time to the lake house. Their daughter then started her sophomore year and subsequently graduated from Groesbeck High School. Angelique continued to work remotely from their home at the lake.     

When the opportunity presented itself in 2019 the Harkin family purchased MeadowCreek Park Equestrian Eventing Facility just outside of Kosse. With blood, sweat, and tears they brought the facility back to its glory days, resembling when it first opened in 1991. An equestrian enthusiast- Angelique immersed herself into the world of horses and eventing. Using her wealth of business experience, Angelique skillfully took on the role of Organizer, planning and hosting the first competitions since purchasing MeadowCreek Park. Later she handed the reins to Kaitlin, but her guidance and support persisted to the end.

Angelique was as tough as she was elegant. She outlived multiple life expectancies during her battle with Cancer, and she continued to defy the odds with her characteristic grace and steadfast resolve. She welcomed everyone with a genuine smile, matched by her vibrant spirit, which together made it difficult for anyone to know her without loving her. Angelique had a unique ability to recognize another’s potential before they recognized it in themselves.

She pursued new challenges with poise and determination, from the office to the saddle, from Napa Valley to the lakeside of Virginia, Angelique was never out of place. She loved every day at MeadowCreek Park, surrounded by horses and her family.

Angelique was preceded in death by her grandparents, Frederick and Josephine Quirein and James and Joanna Borck. 

She is survived by her husband, Shawn Harkin of Kosse; stepson, Donavan James Harkin of Kosse; daughter Kaitlyn Hannah Arnold, son-in-law Jacob Samuel Arnold, and grandson Theodore Jackson Arnold of College Station; her father and mother, John and Marie Quirein of Georgetown; sister and brother-in-law, Erica and Ken Fore and nephew, Hudson Fore of Lynchburg, VA; brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Margarita (Olivos) Quirein of Georgetown, and nieces and nephew, Marie C. G. Quirein-Olivos, Johanna Quirein, and Christopher Quirien. She is also survived by Shawn’s family: his mother, Phyllis Preston of New Braunfels; his father and step-mother, James and Sue Harkin of Austin; Shawn’s seven siblings; and other extended family.

Angelique was a bright light to everyone who knew her, and she will be greatly missed. Her loving, gutsy, and beautiful spirit will remain a part of the legacy she created at MeadowCreek Park.