Mary Flanagan

Mary E. Flanagan, 84, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013 from respiratory failure. A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 2900 9th Ave. S., Great Falls, on Monday July 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Mary was born in Great Falls on August 2, 1928 to George and Celia Murphy. She was raised on a ranch on Millegan Route and attended Spanish Coulee School with her siblings, Frank and Georgia. Her younger sister, Carol was born a few years later. Upon Frank's graduation from the eighth grade, Mary and Georgia remained as the only students in the little country school. Mary later attended school in Great Falls before moving to Helena where she graduated from Helena High in 1946. She married Jack Flanagan in 1946 and together they had four children, Russell, Sheryl, Linda and Dan. They divorced in 1964. She was a 28 year career employee of Mountain Bell Telephone Company, serving as an operator, employment supervisor, and marketing representative. Upon retiring in 1983, she then helped her daughter, Linda operate Honey Bear Day Care until 1990. During this time, Mary met her best friend and roommate, Polly Kimmerle. Mary enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, reading, bowling, playing pinochle, gardening, and cooking (family favorites were her raspberry jam, Christmas fudge, chicken and dumplings and caramel corn). Mary's true passion was raising her children and grandchildren (whom she never stopped rearing) and spending time with friends and loved ones. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church where she attended Bible Study and shared her love and knowledge of the Word with all her friends. She is survived by her sisters, Georgia LeVeque and Carol LaTray; sister-in-law Patti Murphy; friend Polly Kimmerle; daughters Sheryl (Al) Castle and Linda (Ken) Larson; son Dan (Vicki) Flanagan; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents George and Celia Murphy; brother Frank Murphy; son Russell Flanagan; and infant grandson, Russell Flanagan.