Catherine Marie “Minnie” Frances Flynn passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023 after celebrating her last St. Patrick’s Day. She was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on May 1, 1924 to Catherine and Joseph McGuirl.
Cathy was predeceased by her loving husband, Vincent; her son, Thomas Michael; and her brother, Joseph. She is survived by her son, Vincent and wife, Louise Flynn; daughter, Kathy and husband, Armand Halter; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Flynn. Cathy will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren Kevin, Brian, Vincent, Katie, Erin, Emma, and Bridget and three greatgrandchildren, Madison, Parker, and Arthur.
Cathy grew up in Jersey City and enjoyed telling the story about how her husband-to-be, Vincent, took one look at her at a St. Michael’s High School dance and told his friends “I’m going to marry that girl,” and walked her home that evening. When it came time for prom she turned down several invitations, hoping that Vincent could scrape together the money to invite her, and he did.
They married during the war with Vincent on active duty in the Army Medical Corps. Three children later they moved to Livingston, New Jersey where Cathy, the city girl, was thrilled to see the pretty flowers (dandelions) in the lawn. She worked in the Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Office at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, and was involved in her community as a Girl Scout leader, scorekeeper for Little League, and an active member of St. Philomena’s Church.
Cathy had a fun-loving nature with an Irish twinkle in her eye, and was always cheerful, friendly, warm, and generous. She could put a positive spin on anything and her children grew up confident there was no problem she could not solve. Cathy went around singing songs like “Que Sera Sera” and “Georgie Girl,” and the fact that she knew only the first stanzas never stopped her.
She loved her family, friends, traveling, celebrations, her Irish heritage, walking on the beach, dogs, parades, stylish clothes, finding the perfect card, Pinot Grigio, Rummikub, Landmark pizza, “Wheel of Fortune,” pasta and meatballs, Little Bites, and desserts.
Cathy cherished playing and making fun memories with her grandchildren, and did her best to attend numerous birthdays, First Communions, graduations, and school and sporting events. She had a long list of special friends, including her dear neighbor Loretta, and the two friends were the life of the party and usually the last to leave.
Cathy was involved in numerous clubs including the Knights of Columbus, the VFW where year after year she sold more red poppies for the parade than anyone else in Livingston, and the Shillelagh Club where she and Vincent enjoyed a good drink or two.
On a visit to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea they quickly became fast friends with a new group of people, returning year after year, and even after Vincent passed Cathy continued to come, usually making friends with the airline passenger next to her on the way down.
Cathy gave and received love throughout her life, there were no regrets, and everyone she met is a better person for having known her. She is deeply missed by her family and friends and in her memory we encourage everyone to cherish and pass on the love and laughter that Cathy so generously gave to others.
Cathy’s family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the staff at Academy Point in Mystic, CT, particularly Marie DeCoste, her guardian angel on earth, and the compassionate caregivers in Harbor who called her “Grandma,” for their genuine love, respect, and excellent care, and for becoming Cathy’s second family over the past six and a half years.
A celebration of her life will be held by the family this summer. Donations in Cathy’s memory may be made to your local Humane Society, a cause that was dear to her heart.
