Services held for former area PSAS director

 

Services held for former area PSAS director

Mary C. Flynn, 71, of Oelwein died Thursday afternoon, July 11, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 16, at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, with Robert Flynn presiding.

Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein.

Arrangements were handled by Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein.

Mary Celeste (Kelly) Flynn was born July 23, 1941, in Benson, Minn., to Howard William and Catherine Esther (McGovern) Kelly. 

She graduated from Murdock High School in Murdock, Minn., in 1959.  

On June 30, 1962, Mary married her childhood sweetheart, John Patrick Flynn, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock, Minn.  

She worked as a secretary for 10 years in the Twin Cities.  

Mary mentored her growing children as the family moved from Morrison, Ill., to Harlan, Ia., and then to Oelwein.  

During that time she began taking college classes in Sterling, Ill., Council Bluffs, Ia., and then at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in humanities in 1985.  

In 1986 Mary volunteered at Parent Share and Support for a year and then became the Oelwein Area PSAS director for nine years.  As the director of PSAS, Mary wrote and directed an Iowa Department of Education grant that changed the face of parent education in Fayette County.  These programs included Parent as Teachers, Toy Lending Library, Teen Parent Support Program, and many other services.  It was Mary’s vision that opened Family Centers in Oelwein and West Union, which continue to serve hundreds of area families.  

In 1995, John and Mary moved to Hampton for three years.  

Mary worked as the Head Start program supervisor for three centers in Mason City. 

The couple then moved to Pine, Ariz., for three years before returning to Oelwein in 2001.  

Mary previously was a member of the Little Husky Childcare and Preschool Board of Directors and the Oelwein Business and Professional Women’s Club. 

She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Theresa Louise Kelly and Catherine Kelly Quinn; and an infant brother, Joseph Earl Kelly.

Mary is survived by her husband, John Flynn of Oelwein; a daughter, Colleen (Dave) Irvine of Stanley; a son, Jason Flynn of Oelwein; three grandchildren, Benjamin and MacKenzie Irvine of Stanley and Dalton Flynn of Oelwein.

Additional survivors include three sisters, Virginia (Edward) White of Windom, Minn., Rose Kelly of Roseville, Minn., Teresa (Jack) Dahl of Willmar, Minn.; two brothers, John (Pam) Kelly of Murdock, Minn., and Frank (Elaine) Kelly of Hastings, Minn.; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund in Mary Flynn’s name has been established for Parent Share & Support, Cedar Valley Hospice, Oelwein Community Kitchen Cupboard, and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minn.

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