Therese Ann Flynn

Therese Ann (Patten) Flynn, 86, of Parsons, passed away quietly at her home on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 due to an aortic aneurysm.

She was born April 20, 1931, at the family home in Parsons, to John T. and Margaret (Murphy) Patten.

Therese married John Joseph "Jack" Flynn, Jr. on October 10, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. In recounting their lives together, hers was a love story meant to be. She was from the west side of town while he was from the east side. She attended St. Mary's School; he attended St. Patrick's; she attended West High; he attended East High. After dating in Sr. High and graduating together in the class of 1949, they once again were separated by geography when Jack went to college in Colorado and Therese stayed in Parsons where she obtained a degree from Parsons Junior College. She later attended Wichita State University and began work in Wichita as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. The two, however, always maintained a long-distance romance by mail, getting together when they could.

The two became engaged prior to his departure to Korea with the Navy. Following their marriage, they moved to New Orleans where Jack had secured a banking position. After six months, they returned to Parsons where Jack began work at his father's bank, the State Bank of Parsons.

The couple had four children in less than five years during their early marriage and Therese focused on being a mother and wife. Her only regret of that time was that the children came so close together that she didn't get to know them individually while they were little.

Besides sewing all the clothes for her daughters, during this time Therese was actively engaged teaching C.C.D. classes at St. Mary's, acting as a leader with the Girl Scouts, and serving on the St. Patrick's Altar Society. She belonged to the Coterie Bridge Club and others, and became an avid golfer at the Parsons Country Club and with the SEK Golf Association.

By the time the youngest of the children had left home, Jack was serving a term as president of the Parsons Chamber of Commerce. When the organization's secretary departed, Jack talked his wife into filling in on a temporary basis. Seventeen years later, Therese retired from that "temporary" position. Her ready laugh and engaging blue eyes had greeted both visitors and local volunteers over the years, while she provided a comfortable and efficient continuity of operations no matter who the director was at the time.

Those who think they might not know Therese will likely remember her as the lady in the aisle of the grocery store on her way home from work, always ready with a cheering greeting. Therese knew that God had blessed her, but she said it was particularly so when the children and their families all gathered.

In her retirement, Therese volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Society for more than 20 years and put in an equal number of years and more than 4,500 hours as a volunteer for the Labette Health Auxiliary, additionally serving on its board. She was also a long-time volunteer for the Stella Wells Christmas baskets.

Throughout the chaos of raising active children and balancing family and work demands, Therese always looked to her faith to help her get through. It was also that faith that provided her with peace as she faced her final days.

Therese is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jack; and children, Diane Fahey (David) of Strasburg, CO, Susan Keller of Edmond, OK, John Flynn of Grove, OK, Mark Flynn (Terri) of Parsons; nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Peggy Beeson and Elaine O'Connor.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the church where the family will receive friends immediately following the Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.