Mary P. Flanagan 1928 - 2011 SOUTH HADLEY- Mary P. (O'Connor) Flanagan, 83, passed peacefully, Aug. 20, 2011, with her family by her side, after a brief illness while residing at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. She was born July 25, 1928, in Holyoke, MA to the late Michael J. and Annie (O'Rourke) O'Connor. She grew up in Holyoke on Taylor Street in the Highlands and attended Holyoke Schools, graduating from Holyoke High School in 1945. After graduation, Mary was accepted into the Cadet Nursing Program at The Providence Hospital School of Nursing, where she proudly graduated as a Registered Nurse in the class of 1948. Mary began her nursing career at The Providence Hospital and went on to work for Dr. Ned Halton, then spent 25 years working along side Holyoke surgeon, Dr. Joseph R. Kelly. Mary raised her family in the Fairview section of Chicopee, and upon her retirement in 1988, fulfilled a life-long dream by building a home in Centerville, on the Cape, where she enjoyed hosting family and friends. She spoke fondly of her time on Cape Cod and of afternoons spent at Dowses Beach in Osterville. While on the Cape, Mary was a member of the Happy Hoofers Walking Club in Barnstable and made many dear friends. After moving back to Western Massachusetts and settling in South Hadley, she participated in many activities at the South Hadley Senior Center, she particularly enjoyed taking computer classes, as well as coaching and teaching computer classes to other seniors. She also volunteered with the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery Mentor. Mary was a great traveler and enjoyed Elderhostel trips throughout the United States and Europe. Her favorite trip included bicycling along the Danube River in Holland. Mary was predeceased by her husband, John J. Flanagan; son, Andrew M. Flanagan; and brother, Richard O'Connor. She is survived by son, Joseph Flanagan and wife Lori, of Vancouver, WA; daughters, Patricia Flanagan Michalski of South Hadley; Maureen Thomas and husband Scott, of Houston, TX; Kathleen Geraghty and husband Brian, of Centerville, MA.; grandchildren, Mary O'Sullivan and husband Kerry, of Holyoke; Michael Michalski of Chicopee; Jacob Deguitus of South Hadley; Connor Thomas of Richmond, VA; Brenna Thomas and Evan Thomas of Houston, TX; and Payton Geraghty and Teagan Geraghty of Centerville, MA; great grandson, Kellen O'Sullivan of Holyoke; and step-great grandchildren, Koren O'Sullivan and Kayden O'Sullivan of Holyoke. The Flanagan family would like to thank the caring staff of Baystate Hospice and VNA, the caring and compassionate staff at The Hospice of the Fisher House as well as the wonderful hospice volunteers and friends that came to visit. Mary was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in South Hadley. Funeral services will be Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley. Burial following the Mass at St. Jerome's Cemetery, Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA. Calling hours are Monday, August 22 from 4 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, 01002, www.fisherhome.org