On February 17, 2012, the Lord granted the wish of Mary A. “Marion” (Flynn) O’Connor, formerly of Fairmont Avenue, to join Tom, her husband of 68 years who passed on August 13, 2005.
Mary leaves three daughters, Mary Army, Kathleen Gagliastro and her husband John, and Eileen Lush all of Worcester, and her son Thomas O’Connor of Seattle, WA. She also leaves her beloved 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary was born on the shores of Lough Allen in the village of Ballinaglera, County Leitrim, Ireland on September 17, 1907 to the late Myles and Eleanor (Flynn) Flynn. She was predeceased by two sisters, Katie and Teresa, and her brother, John.
On May 1, 1927, eighty four years ago, Mary Ann Flynn sailed into Boston Harbor as a brave 20 year old on her own for the first time. It was the middle of the Roaring 20’s and the whole world assumed that in America the streets were paved in gold. As was the custom then, she was sent to America to work hard and send money back to Ireland. She found employment as a domestic for some of the area’s best known families. She later would recall the nightly tears and loneliness of that first year away from all she knew and loved.
With the onset of the Great Depression leaving her little money to send back home, she courageously committed to building a new life in her adopted country. She became a proud United States Citizen and never missed voting in any election. She met her future husband, Tom, at a St. Patrick’s Day dance at the Worcester A. O. H. Hall. Tom was taken by “a lovely Irish Colleen in a red and white polka dot dress.” He often spoke of walking her home that night, and every night thereafter. They were married in St. Paul’s Cathedral on June 26, 1937.
Mary was dedicated to her ever growing family, including serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother for her son’s scout pack and as an honorary Grandma to many. She made lifelong friendships in her 104 years and was loved by everyone she touched as evidenced by the outpouring of sentiment from the caring staff of the Lutheran Home where she was a resident. Mary was known for her family Thanksgiving dinners and her knitted afghans which she presented to each grandchild when they were married and at great grandchild’s birth.
Later in life it was joked that her “hobby” was to attend just about every neighbor’s or local Irishman’s wake. A good many people were thus introduced to her most excellent Irish Soda Bread. And, as in every life, some of her wishes never came true including her most fervent desire that “Murphy’s Bar burn down.”
Mary expressed her deep and constant Catholic faith every day and never missed a first Friday Mass in some 80 years. She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Stephen’s Parish, and a devoted member of the Legion of Mary and the St. Joseph’s Guild. If you were fortunate enough to have known her, then you should be comforted by the belief that through her prayers and intentions, God will surely bless each and every one of us.
Our Matriarch is gone, but her life force courses on through the blood of her 39 descendents. She was a dear and will be dearly missed. God bless you Ma – Grandma – Great Grammie.
Her funeral is Friday, February 24th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 11:00 am in St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton Street. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00 until 8:00 pm in the funeral home.
Please omit flowers and make memorial contributions to St. Stephens’ Church Restoration Fund, 16 Hamilton Street, Worcester, MA 01604.