Patricia “Pats Ann” Flynn, born in Belleville, NJ, and a long-time resident of Spring Lake, New Jersey, passed away on October 4, 2021, after struggling with Alzheimer’s in recent years.
Patricia was the youngest of a large extended family with a long history in Belleville including its first police chief, her grandfather (Michael Flynn), and her father, police lieutenant (John Joseph Flynn). Her mother (Mary Agnes Dunn) was one of eleven children who were all raised in Belleville. Patricia was a long-time parishioner of St. Peter’s Church, Belleville, a parish that many of her ancestors also considered their spiritual home. She subsequently became a parishioner of St. Catherine and St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake.
She was a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Newark. Patricia began her professional career immediately after high school, joining the New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. where she worked in a variety of roles for thirty-four years. Her final position was in the Public Relations Department, a role she thoroughly enjoyed. Upon retiring from the telephone company, Patricia worked briefly for PNC Bank. It was then that she made the move to her beloved Jersey Shore, in Spring Lake, where she delighted in year-round access to the sea.
In addition to the seashore, Patricia loved travel, domestic and abroad. In her lifetime, she visited much of the U.S., Europe, and Bermuda. New England in the fall and the Canadian Rockies ranked high amongst her favorite places. When not traveling or enjoying the Jersey Shore, Patricia would often be taking in Broadway shows and Irish musical performances. But nothing pleased her more than the annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and her Irish heritage. Wherever there was an Irish parade, she would not be far behind.
Patricia is survived by numerous loved ones, including her sister-in-law, Florence (nee Zimmer) (Chatham, NJ), and brother-in-law, Joseph Debold (Warwick, NY), fifteen nieces and nephews, and thirty-two great-nieces and nephews. And a great-great-nephew, Joseph Richard Burke. She is predeceased by her parents, sister, Therese, and brother-in-law, Richard Burke (Oakland, NJ), sister, Catherine, brother, Michael, and nephew, Richard Burke, Jr.
She was a fixture at family and holiday events throughout our lives. One of Pats Ann’s great achievements was passing on the love and caring she received from her wonderful family. Her humor, laughter and smile will be sorely missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021 at St. Peter’s RC Church, 155 William Street, Belleville, NJ. A private burial will be held at a later date.
The family is grateful for the dedication and care that Patricia received these past few years by the staff at Sunrise at West Essex, Fairfield, NJ.
Donations in Patricia’s memory may be made to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 155 William Street, Belleville, NJ, 07109, or the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, 57 West 57th Street, Suite 904, New York, NY, 10019, [email protected].