Lena moved to California at a young age, with her family eventually settling in Bakersfield prior to her beginning school. She attended Beardsley Elementary School, Panama Union Elementary School and graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1954. She continued her education at Bakersfield College, where she received her AA Degree in Business in 1956. She then began her family and opened a neighborhood daycare, so that she could be home to raise her children. Education was important to Lena, and she later went back to school and in 1981 she received her Masters of Arts Degree with a concentration in Education, Counseling and Personnel Services. She, and her family, were very proud of her determination to obtain her master's degree, and her granddaughter liked to remind her that they were bonded by both having reached this accomplishment.

Lena was most proud of her Pre-School that she ran out of her home for 37 years. Many of the preschoolers who lived in the Northwest attended Flippen's Preschool and the Bakersfield Californian recognized her preschool as a "Neighborhood Gem". Those who attended have fond memories of Paddington Bear, Tyra (the dog/mascot), the drawings made into plates, and The Memory Books. The preschoolers who graduated into kindergarten were well prepared and the kindergarten teachers at Norris always recognized a student that had went to Flippen's Preschool. Lena absolutely loved her job as a preschool teacher. In the early 1990's, while running her preschool, she also worked as the director of Kid's Castle at Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed this job as well and was nominated for Manager of the year.

Lena enjoyed various activities outside of school and work. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren's swim meets, waiting all day patiently for that 30 seconds of race time. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and CSUB's 60+ Club. She loved meeting with the knitting group ladies on Thursdays.

Lena was preceded in death by her daughter Karen, son Mike Flippen, longtime companion Aaron Pittel, Cali Cat and beloved dog Tyra. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Rick and Nancy Curran, and her five grandchildren Nick, Danielle, and Dominique Curran, Justin White and Jonathan Flippen.

Per Lena's request there will not be a funeral service. The family will honor her request and celebrate her life during a family dinner.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 5 to Jan. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Lena Flippen

9 Entries

Denise Szczech

December 30, 2024

Our family just loved Mrs. Flippen. Three kids attended her preschool. They loved her dearly. Two of them met their life long best friend there. Thank you Flippen Family for sharing her with the community.

Denise Szczech

August 6, 2021

I was just looking at my daughters pre school pictures. I thought surely Lena has retired by now! I looked her up and found this. I´m sad, three of my children went to her preschool... they loved it! And yes so did most of our neighborhood. We all loved her and our children are better off for having known her and Miss Esther. She will never be forgotten. Sarah, Jake and Emily Szczech

Pat and Mitch Van Wyk

January 29, 2019

My condolences to the family, may each of you be comforted by God's grace. They say no one is perfect, however to my family Mrs. Flippen was the ideal person and teacher. She gave our two daughters a great start academically, emotionally and socially. Our daughters attended the preschool from 1975-1977. During a field trip to the pumpkin patch our oldest daughter VALERIE had her first grand mal seizure. Lena not only recognized this as a medical emergency, she called us and drove Val to Dr. Forney's office and was sitting with Val asleep in her arms when I arrived! She had enough parents on the trip to drive the class back to the preschool one of which was our younger daughter Amy. Lena had permission slips with all of the emergency information in order to contact us and had given each parent driver the respective permission slips for the children they were taking in their car. Lena was perfectly prepared
and had the greatest understanding of her responsibilities for the children in her care. Our daughter gradually progressed to a complicated and rare
case of Epilepsy, Lennox Gaustaut Syndrome. She was able to return to the preschool and never had another seizure at school. Since it was a possibility that she would have another seizure we offered to withdraw Val from the preschool. Lena asked that Valerie continue to attend in fairness to her, and what the other children might learn from the situation.
What a blessing Lena Filppen was to our family❤

January 12, 2019

We are truly sorry for your loss, may you and your family find comfort in these difficult times (2 Corth 1:3-4) God bless

Barbara

January 9, 2019

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May reflecting on all the good times you've shared together help ease the pain that you feel. May the God of all comfort strengthen you during this time of sadness and His promise for the future bring you peace. (Hosea 13:14)

Janet Sadocchi

January 8, 2019

I will miss you. I can't remember a time when you were not in my life. Thank you for teaching me to tie my shoes. You were so full of grace. All of my love to Nancy and all of the family

Janet Sadocchi

January 8, 2019

I can't remember a time when Lena was not in my life. I couldn't wait to go to preschool there. I loved your kind soul,patience and grace. Thank you for teaching me tie my shoes. R.I.P Lena

Mary Hagenston

January 5, 2019

Mrs. Flippen made an lasting impact on myself and both of my children! My son and daughter attended in the years 1997-2001 before they went into kindergarten. What wonderful days my children had while learning to read well, make friends, create art, and play in a mature, shady backyard. Each week different parents would volunteer to read, of which I had the honor of doing on occasion. We had a 240 pound English Mastiff that was just like Mudge of the stories by the same name, and Lena was thrilled to have this big, gentle giant to be amongst the children. My mother had passed away shortly after my second child had arrived, and she was the only one I would have had help me with my little ones while finishing my work commitment. I was referred to Lena and within a few minutes of being with her and the children, I knew this was the perfect place for my son, then when my daughter was born, she would GET to attend, too. I have wonderful memories of Lena holding a child on her lap and reading with just them, to further their abilities as well as giving them individual attention, which they all loved! Lena will always be a treasured memory from the critical and early times of my children's lives! Her photo is exactly as I remember her-beautiful, with those laughing eyes!

Pam Cheatwood

January 5, 2019

Mrs. Flippen was the most wonderful lady with a beautiful smile and a delightful laugh. Both of my sons attended her home preschool and it was a positive experience in every aspect. We all loved it. Many times over the years we talked about Paddinton Bear, The New Shoes song, and making Stone Soup. Rest In Peace, Mrs. Flippen, and thank you for giving my boys such a great start to their education!

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