Nationality: Irish (Dual Nationality-USA)
Congregational Register No: 305
D.O.B. 26.06.1915
First Profession: 01.06.1954
Died: 22.03.2006 Aged: 90 years

Marie Frances Flynn was one of six sisters and three brothers. She was born in Kilkishen, County Clare and was educated at the Ursuline Convent in Sligo.  Marie took secretarial and commercial courses in Cork and Dublin before finally training as an ophthalmic optician in Dublin in the 1940s.  She entered MMM in 1951, aged 36.

Immediately following her first profession, Mother Mary assigned Sr. Marie to the Apostolic delegation in London as secretary to the Apostolic delegate, Dr. O’Hara.  Her neatness, discretion, and quiet sense of humour were qualities that well-suited her to this assignment and she was very happy in her work.  She stayed there as secretary for almost twenty years.

In 1974, Sr. Marie was assigned to the USA, where she worked as secretary to the rector of Pope John XXIII Seminary in Weston, MA.  Sr. Marie loved the seminary. By nature outgoing and interested in people and their lives, with a great ability to relate to almost anybody, her gentleness and warmth encouraged many of the men studying for the priesthood. Sr. Marie stayed at Weston until MMM withdrew in 1980.

In 1981 Sr. Marie moved to City Island, New York, where she was regional secretary for 12 years. In 1993 she ‘retired’ but remained active in the community, made home visits to the elderly, etc. She was noted for her care and concern for the residents and people there called her ‘Mother Teresa of City Island’.  Sr. Marie was a good friend to people from many different walks of life: she was even listed as ‘next-of-kin’ by Carol, the local bag lady.  The chief celebrant at Marie’s funeral Mass, Msgr. John Allen, a friend from her days in the London delegation, travelled over especially from Manchester. She maintained long friendships with those with whom she came into contact.

Sr. Marie returned to Ireland in 2005 to live in the Motherhouse in Drogheda.  She did not find it easy to settle in Ireland after so many years or to adjust to living in a large community. She found Ireland much changed and missed her many American friends.  Sr. Joachim, a great friend from her USA days, was a comfort and support for her during this period of adjustment.

Sr. Marie became very ill in February 2006 and was transferred to Áras Mhuire.  She was lovingly looked after by the staff there until she died peacefully in her sleep on 22 March.