Shaftsbury, Vermont – Eileen Marie Flynn (Mahoney) died in peace on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at her home (Avondale Meadows) in West Shaftsbury. She was the first born of James & N. Lillian (Murphy), entering this world on April 27,1925 at the Harley Hospital, Dorchester, Mass. Eileen was raised in the Meeting House Hill section of Dorchester & educated in Boston Schools. After secretarial school she was employed as Secretary to the Controller of the R.H. White Corp. On October 14,1950 at St. Peter’s Church, Eileen married Robert J. Flynn (died on August 18, 2001) and they made their first home in Braintree, Mass.
In 1956 after serving 8 years at Naval Air Station Squantum/Weymouth Eileen & Bob bought a farm in West Shaftsbury and operated a dairy farm for 17 years. In 1967 Eileen returned to the business world and was employed at the Bennington office of Extension Service of UVM as secretary. Due to her mother’s poor health, Eileen took early retirement to care for her. Her mother’s motto was always “the home, the church and the school”.
Continuing this motto, Eileen devoted much of her time to the church where she was a member and officer of the BVM Sodality and served as a Catechist for 57 years. She served for many years as a Lector & Eucharistic Minister at St. John’s. In her many years of driving, she especially enjoyed bringing the Eucharist to those homebound or living in residential facilities. Eileen held a special place in her heart for those who were ailing & enjoyed making her ‘rounds’ as part of her daily routine.
For many years, Eileen also served as a member of the Vermont Council of Catholic Women and held the offices of President & Treasurer. In the late 70’s and mid 80’s Eileen accepted the role of Province Director to the National Council of Catholic Women, attending meetings and conventions to bring relevant information back to members of the Boston Province. In 1993 she returned once again to the business world as Parish Secretary of St. John’s and served for the next 9 years in that position. Eileen’s love for members of St John’s, knew no bounds. She felt guided by the Holy Spirit. Eileen wore out many a set of rosary beads infused with her devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Always a reader, Eileen kept a stack of books close by her side to complete. She loved visiting the library & instilled a love of reading in her 4 children at an early age. These last years, Eileen spent many an hour reading the Banner, the Boston Globe & watching her favorite news shows, keeping track of progress being made by politicians on issues of social justice in our country. She had a concern for the poor, native people and those fleeing persecution in their own homeland, risking everything to make a new life in the land that took in her ancestors from Ireland several generations ago.
Later in life, Eileen learned from her dear friend Millie Beeler, how to knit on a loom. Over the years, she produced hundreds of brightly colored, warm hats, packaged them up and mailed them to missions serving children in West Virginia & native communities in the Plains. Eileen enjoyed wonderful times at luncheons with her dear, dear friends from St John’s, Rosemary Lindsey, Mary Harrington, Linda Meskun and until her death, Henrietta Billow. She enjoyed the company of many other friends, each of whom are remembered by her children in gratitude for the gift of friendship with their Mom. Eileen loved writing, kept a daily journal & wrote cards & letters to relatives and friends on a regular basis. Her address book is filled with names, addresses, birth dates, anniversary dates & other special notes relating to each. In recent years, she delighted in discovering the Jacquie Lawson website, becoming cyber-savvy at sending e-cards on special occasions.
At the end of her brief illness, her family guided her through her transition as she guided so many at life’s end. Her children had the best teacher in learning compassion for the elderly and those in need from their Mom. So many family elders came to live on the ‘farm’ in their last years to receive the blessings of love and tender care to the end from Eileen & Bob. The 4 kids were ecstatic for the company & lessons learned from the wisdom and tales of earlier life in the city; thus Boston will always hold precious memories in the hearts of Eileen’s children. And much to the delight of her children, after living in West Shaftsbury for 67 years, Eileen’s Boston accent never faded, nor did her sense of humor. Even at 97, when feeling particularly mischievous, she would break out into jig and a song.
Survivors are Eileen & Bob’s 4 children, Kathleen (Joseph) Thibodeau, Roberta (Bonnie) Flynn, Edmund Flynn, Kristine Flynn & Eileen’s sister, Patricia Ciccolo. Eileen leaves 6 dear grandsons, 2 precious great grandchildren, her beloved nieces, nephew and cousins. Her dear brother, James L. Mahoney of Waltham, Mass, preceded her in death on Nov 19, 2022.
Eileen’s wish to die at home was honored by her beloved children, including her rock, Joseph & her dear daughter-in-law, Bonnie, who accompanied her every step of the way. Eileen’s family is eternally grateful for the support of our local VNA/Hospice team, especially the tender, vivacious, loving Monica Jones RN. Eileen passed from this life to the next in a manner we all wish for others when their time comes.
A Mass of Christian Death and Burial will be offered at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in North Bennington, VT on Thursday February 16, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Church on Thursday February 16th from 10 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 PM.
If friends desire, contributions in Eileen’s memory may be made to either St. John’s Church or the Sacred Heart School through the office of the Mahar Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201.
