Mary (MacDonald) Flanagan

Mary Irene Flanagan

”Mimi”

1955 - 2025
 

Mary “Mimi” Irene Flanagan, (nee MacDonald), 69, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, Godmother, cousin, friend, mentor, teacher, nurse, colleague, and humanitarian died peacefully at home on April 17th. Mary and her identical twin sister Laura were born in Darby, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1955, welcomed into the world by their parents, Irene (nee Reilly) and Robert MacDonald, and their big sister and brother, Kathy and Bobby. They were joined by their dear brother Danny only 11 months later. Mary grew up in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, attended St. Andrew the Apostle parochial school, and Archbishop Prendergast High School, class of ‘73. She held degrees from St. Joseph’s Hospital Nursing School, Hahnemann University, St. Joseph’s University, and Temple University. 

Mary loved reading, writing, travel, and a good time but more than anything, she loved “her people”. She was a voracious learner and a lover of words, a “type A” personality who believed the best time to do anything is always right now. A comedienne, both with and without intention, Mary leaves a lifetime of stories that will keep her loved ones laughing through their tears for many years to come. Mary’s other passions included fundraising, Irish music, Toastmasters, singing, grant writing, and research.

Mary was an accomplished healthcare professional, caring for people as a nurse in the intensive care unit, in homecare, and in educating future healthcare professionals as a vocational teacher at Delaware County Technical School. She was passionate about education and thrived on both curriculum development and making learning fun. She expanded her role as healthcare educator as an American Heart Association BLS instructor and through her Super Sitters classes. 

Mary embraced “the more the merrier” ethos and always had room for one, two, or 10 more at her table. She was empathetic and compassionate, and believed that every person deserves fair and equal treatment and opportunity. A true matriarch and supporter of women, Mary instilled the conviction that we can do anything because we are women in our souls. She was a groovy child of the 60’s and 70’s and would have loved to buy the world a Coke, or rather a Diet Coke, and “kick on down the cobblestones”. 

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Daniel Flanagan, her four sons, Daniel (Julie), Timothy, Patrick, and Kevin (Meagan) and her daughter Kathleen Cullen (Shaun), her three adored grandchildren, Phillip, Janine, and Declan, her stepmother Ann MacDonald and brother Thomas MacDonald. Predeceased by her mother Irene, father Robert, sisters Kathy and Laura, brothers; Robert and Daniel, and her granddaughter Frankie Flanagan. Mary will be deeply missed by her large extended family including many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Mary’s family would like to thank the countless nurses, therapists, and support staff at Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania Hospitals, Taylor Rehab, and Bayada Home Care for the excellent and compassionate care they provided. In lieu of flowers the Flanagan Family appreciates donations to the Dunlop Foundation in Mary’s name.

Dunlop Foundation Venmo: CharlieDunlop-MemorialFund. 

Family and friends are invited to Mary’s wake on Friday April 25th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ruffenach Funeral Home, 4900 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and mass the following morning on Saturday April 26th at 10:30 AM at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. 

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