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Louise Huerta FLYNN

1929 - 2014

Louise Huerta FLYNN obituary, 1929-2014, Austin, TX

BORN

1929

DIED

2014

Louise FLYNN Obituary

FLYNN, Louise Huerta

Louise Huerta Flynn, 85 of South Austin leaves behind a legacy of learning, love, and happiness with all those who knew and loved her. Her death last Tuesday morning came after a fight with cancer in the company of those she loved most, her son David Flynn, Jr., granddaughter Demare Flynn, and grandson David Flynn III, all of Austin. In an act of perfect selflessness, Louise Flynn spared her family the sadness of a funeral and instead donated her remains for the benefit of mankind via the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, Texas.

Louise was born in Elizabeth, NJ in 1929 the second daughter of Jose and Josefa Huerta, both of Spain. She grew up primarily in New Jersey although she spent some time in northern Spain as a child in order to treat a health ailment. Later she attended St. Elizabeth College for two years before transferring to Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Havana, Cuba where she received a B.A.

Havana is also where she met David Flynn, her future husband and center of her universe. It was on their first date that she boldly declared her intention to marry him. He became her husband and center of her universe. After a two year courtship in Cuba, they were married in 1951 in Providence, RI. Louise became her husband's biggest supporter throughout his career which took them to Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Honduras, Colombia, and Guatemala. Still, Louise found time to teach in private schools, run bridge clubs, and earn a Master's Degree in Ancient History from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia.

During those years in Latin America, Mrs. Flynn was often left alone to manage raising her son while her husband traveled for work often for months at a time. Headstrong with a no-nonsense gallega attitude, a well-known family tale tells of her standing fast before a home intruder in Tegucigalpa, Honduras who was forced to flee after being shot in the leg by Louise with the pistol kept in her nightstand for just that type of situation.

In her own career path, Louise was a teacher of high school at Colegio Franklin Roosevelt in Lima, Peru; Colegio Simon Bolivar in Cali, Colombia; Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogota, Colombia. She also taught elementary school at St. Francis in Ridgefield Park, NJ and Colegio Abraham Lincoln in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A downturn in the family fortunes occasioned by changes in Latin American economics forced a move to New York City in the 1970s and led Louise into a new career. She became the family breadwinner through a highly successful career in international insurance at Royal Insurance in New York City. Although Royal was a British company with a traditional outlook on business including gender roles, Louise rose to be the highest ranking woman in the global company and managed global insurance coverage in excess of $1 billion for blue chip companies such as General Motors. During her international insurance career, Louise picked up advanced degrees in the industry including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance.

At the same time, Louise helped run the family business, a travel agency, by working weekends managing the company finances and providing sound leadership.

When her eldest sister, Pilar, fell ill with cancer, Louise and David moved into her house in Red Bank, NJ where Louise, still working at her management position in NYC, provided her sister with love and care. Pilar died soon after that, in Louise's arms.

Tragedy followed a few years later when her beloved husband David died suddenly of a heart attack, also in Louise's arms.

Soon after retirement, Louise moved yet again this time to become the CFO of Amistad Media Group, her son David's company in Austin, Texas. Without her guidance, business acumen, and financial management the company would never have achieved success. Her move to Austin in semi-retirement allowed her to be close to her grandchildren on a full time basis and be an important part of their upbringing and moral compass. Abuela, as she was called, taught through the gift of travel and took her granddaughter Demare on a trip to Spain, England, and France when she was 10. Her grandson David, who long dreamed of going to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont had that wish granted on a trip with Abuela.

Louise was also instrumental in taking her family to such diverse places as Disney World, South Padre Island, the Galapagos, and Costa Rica.

In Austin, she made lasting friendships with co-workers and neighbors through wine parties, book clubs, and knitting groups. A talented and skilled knitter, Louise made an estimated 75-90 full afghan blankets in her lifetime as well as innumerable baby blankets for Any Baby Can, scarves, golf club covers, and socks. She was a dedicated parishioner at St. Catherine of Sienna church as well as a volunteer at Abiding Love Lutheran Church food bank, translating for immigrant Spanish-speaking families. It was through these friendships that she touched many people and spread her joy, humor, and love.

She is survived by her son David Flynn Jr., granddaughter Demare Flynn, grandson David Flynn III, and an innumerable group of students, friends, and extended family.

Louise loved people, travel, opera, the New York Mets, red wine, telenovelas and Jeopardy!, playing cards, San Antonio Spurs, history, crosswords, Scrabble, her family, and her memories. No one who has ever met her will ever forget her.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Mar. 26 to Mar. 27, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Louise FLYNN

Not sure what to say?





David, your mother was my mentor, my co-worker but best of all she was my friend. I was very lucky to have her in my life. She will be dearly missed, but never out of my heart and prayers. She is now with your dad, looking down on us with a smile. My sincere condolences to you and your children. Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie McManus

April 3, 2014

David, our thoughts are with you, and all of us who knew your mother will miss the bright, insightful, warm-hearted person that she was. Best Regards, Dana Irving

Dana Irving

April 1, 2014

Mrs. Flynn was a formidable presence in the classroom, but also made the study of history fun. I'll always treasure my memories of being in her class at Colegio Nueva Granada.

Dick Anderson (CNG 71)

March 31, 2014

David, So sorry for your loss.
Tina Williamson

March 29, 2014

David,
It is a great accomplishment to have lived a life so rich that it would inspire those who have never met you. That is my reaction to learning all that your mother was able to achieve professionally and personally. She was clearly an amazing woman who reaped all that she could out of her remarkable life. I wish you and your family peace during this difficult time.

Anthony Marban

March 27, 2014

Dear David
This was sad news indeed ! My thoughts are with you and your family .
I was not aware of all her other numerous talents, but I am not surprised !
I am the one of many who met her and will never forget her !
Un abrazo muy especial desde el Polo Norte
Margarita Ospina Tidemand

March 27, 2014

Louise was such a gifted, talented and outgoing person.
We will miss her humor, her warmth, and her joy for life. Her family has been very blessed to have her leading them. God has taken her Home.
The St.Clairs

March 26, 2014

What a precious woman. Her classes were as interesting as she was. She touched so many of us. The world has lost a very special person. Love you to you, David.

Jon-Ella Henry Hays

March 26, 2014

David: I am really sorry for this loss. Mrs. Flynn was incredible!!! I am so happy that you both were able to come back to Colombia on our 40th anniversary, we really enjoyed seeing her and going back to school. My prayers are with you, un abrazo muy grande y cariñoso!! Margarita

Margarita Clavijo

March 26, 2014

I remember fondly the privilege I had visiting with Louise. What a lovely lady! David, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

With sympathy,
Lesli Massad
Boys Town

March 26, 2014

So very sorry for your loss. David, please know that you and your family our in my thoughts and prayers. I fondly remember the privilege I had visiting with Louise. What a lovely lady!

With prayers and sympathy,
Lesli Massad
Bpys Town

March 26, 2014

Louise had a beautiful soul, which will be greatly missed by so many here. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

James and Donna Prilop

March 26, 2014

Ms. Flynn lived a wonderful life. Her family will miss her presence in a large way. She was an accomplished woman. Our thoughts and prayers to this family. Philippians 4:7 say he will grant peace.

Wilson Family

March 26, 2014

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