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Patsy Flanigan Obituary
July 1931 - December 2009
Patsy Flanigan, President and CEO of Flanigan Farms Natural Foods, passed away on December 13th, 2009.
Patsy believed in family, business, and community service. She was the proud mother of four wonderful daughters and two sons-in-law: Cathie Flanigan and Bill Kowalik of Perth, Australia; Eileen Flanigan, of Highlands Ranch, CO; Monica Heeren of Los Angeles, CA; and Teresa Flanigan and Trenton Jones of Portland, OR.
In 1970 Patsy and her husband Owen established Flanigan Farms with the goal to promote good health of mind, body, and spirit. She sought to achieve a healthy community by concentrating on making natural foods widely available via supermarkets. The place she loved most was her Certified Organic Persimmon grove in De Luz (San Diego County). After Owen's death in 1992 Patsy ran Flanigan Farms with her daughters.
In 1979 at age 47, Patsy graduated from CA State University Northridge with a degree in food science. She received CSUN's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.
A strong believer in community service, Patsy was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business. She served on the boards of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce; the Didi Hirsch Community Health Center; the American Heart Association, Los Angeles affiliate; and the Marilyn Magraam Center of CSUN.
She was a member of the Heels & Souls Square Dance Club, the California Rare Fruit Growers, the Westside Home Economists, and Toastmasters. She also enjoyed singing while driving on the freeway, writing poetry and many articles on health and vitality for publication.
A Celebration of Life service will be held January 10th, 2010, at 1pm. Radisson Hotel, Pacifica Ballroom, 6161 West Centinela Ave., Culver City, CA 90230.
In keeping with Patsy's enthusiasm for the development of young minds and healthy lifestyles, the family requests that donations be made to California State University Northridge Foundation, College of Health & Human Development c/o John Pepitone, 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330-8215.
Or, Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center c/o Orange County Boy Scouts, 1211 East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA 92705, 714-546-4990 attn; Les Baron. Please make donations in memory of Patsy Flanigan for scholarships to the Ranch Camp; the location of the "Flanigan Farms Garden - Miracles Grown Here".
Stories, thoughts, etc. are appreciated and may be sent to [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patsy Flanigan
5 Entries
Jose Ruffo
January 20, 2010
i met patsy in Fallbrook, i was one her employees, although i only knew her for a little bit of time, i noticed she was a beautiful lady, with a good personality, very very sweet person, im glad i had the chance to have known her,and to her family, God Bless you, sincerely, Jose Ruffo
Jose Ruffo
January 20, 2010
I met Patsy in Fallbrook, i was one of her employees, i knew her for such a liitle bit of time, she was a beautiful lady and had a very good personality, very very sweet person, happy to have met her, and to her family, God bless you! sincerely, Jose Ruffo, from fallbrook, ca.
January 8, 2010
In 1971, my husband, Kent, and I moved into our first home in Cheviot Hills next door to the Flanigan family. TC was the first to greet us, followed by the rest of the family. We were told that the Flanigans were in the process of marketing their own granola and other products. Though all of that was interesting, it was Pat that was the most fascinating to me. Here was a young woman with a home, husband & 4 wonderful daughters that she managed to keep up with along with working and going to school. The woman even made pickles as a school project! I tried to explain to her that she could find them in the condiment section of the market - she just smiled at me.
That smile - she had a beautiful one and used it often. Her mothering was was so calm and caring - an inspiration to me when I had my 1st. child. TC told her about the baby book I had started for Megan. Pat smiled at her daughter and said "it's the 1st. baby". What could she have meant by that? Well, by Matthew (#4), I don't even remember if I bought a baby book.
Pat loved the neighborhood and was instrumental in getting a pedestrian bridge erected across the small train track ravine along Northvale Rd. It got the kids to the library safely and I have always referred to it as the Pat Flanigan Memorial Bridge.
After Owen left her with a business to run, she was amazing - managing the Farm, the properties and employees. Again, I was in awe. There was nothing Pat Flanigan couldn't handle and she did it all with a quiet grace.
I was so lucky and blessed to have her as a neighbor, friend and though she didn't know it, mentor. Pat will be missed, but she leaves us a lovely legacy - the memory of her serene smile along her best gift, Cathy, Eileen, Monica and Teresa (TC). My sincerest sympathy to all of you and your husbands.
Pat Graham Los Angeles, CA
MARY KIECHLE
January 7, 2010
I FIRST MET PATSY IN 1962 AT PALMS PARK AT AN ORGANIZATION MEETING FOR GIRL SCOUTS. IT WAS OBVIOUS SHE WAS TO BE THE LEADER OF OUR TROOP.
HER BEAUTIFUL DEMEANOR AND CHARACTER WAS
JUST WHAT THE TROOP NEEDED.
PLEASE GIVE MY SIINCERE SYMPATHY TO ALL THE
GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES. A GREAT LADY HAS PASSED.
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Yvette Nunez
January 7, 2010
Patsy was a beautiful, strong, and giving person. I knew her as an active member of FIBR, the Food Industry Business Roundtable. FIBR honored Flanigan Farms as our Inaugual FIBR Food Safety Achievement Award Winner some years ago. She was dedicated to quality in her business and made sure every single person at her company was well trained - a rare quality FIBR immediately recognized. She was always supportive of our organization and contributed her time and expertise whenever asked.
All of my prayers to her entire beautiful family. FIBR and I especially will miss her dearly.
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