Sister Josephine Flanagan

Sister Josephine Flanagan, 78
(aka Sr. Joseph Mary)
PORTLAND -- Sister Josephine Flanagan (aka Sr. Joseph Mary), 78, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, died peacefully, just as she lived, on Oct. 3, 2010, at St. Joseph's Manor, after a long illness.
A native of Bangor, Sr. Josephine Flanagan was born on Oct. 4, 1931, to Elizabeth Hickey and Daniel Flanagan and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Portland on Sept. 24, 1950, from St. John's Parish and John Bapst High School, Bangor. She received her B.A. in Latin from the College of Our Lady of Mercy in Portland, now known at St. Joseph's College, Standish. Sr. Josephine Flanagan continued her higher education at Boston College earning both a M.A. degree in Latin and a M.Ed. with a concentration in Religious Studies.
Sister began her ministry in religious education but she soon was appointed to secondary education at St. Benedict's High School, Benedicta. She also taught at St. Joseph's Academy and was a teacher and principal at Cathedral High School. In 1969, Cathedral High School merged to become Catherine McAuley High School and Sr. Josephine was the first Principal. In between these two assignments, she was Assistant Directress of Formation for several years before going to John Bapst High, Bangor. In 1980, she served as Asst. Dean and then as Associate Dean of St. Joseph's College, Standish. Following a sabbatical year, she became a Receptionist in the Catholic Charities ME Family Child Care Program. Her next assignment in 2001 was Administrative Assistant to the Community Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy, Portland.
Over the years, Sister has been active on many Boards and Committees. These included: Governor/ Overseer at St. Joseph's College, Standish; Trustee, Mercy Hospital, Portland; several Diocesan committees, including the Liturgical Commission, and in addition, she was Director of the Board of the Opera New England of Maine.
Sister Josephine
Flanagan
Sr. Josephine will be remembered for her fruitful and productive service to the People of God, especially her students. She was a woman of prayer, inspired by her deep faith, her gentle compassion and profound sense of integrity. Sister lived her religious motto, '...but for Your GraceÉ', seeing only the good in others and always going the extra mile to serve.
Besides her parents, Sr. Josephine was predeceased by her brothers, Daniel and John Flanagan and Martin John Elwood, her sister, Elizabeth A. Flanagan; and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Thomas (Elizabeth) Flanagan. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Mary Katherine (Robert) Tekancic of Euclid, Ohio, her brother, Thomas Flanagan of Enfield, Conn.; and her sisters-in-law, Mrs. John (Jean) Flanagan of Concord, N.H., and Mrs. Martin J. (Barbara) Elwood of Mattawamkeag. Sister is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; as well as her Sisters in community.
Visiting hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at St. Joseph's Convent, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the Convent Chapel. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Arrangements respectfully handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations
may be sent in Sr. Josephine Flanagan's memory to:
Catherine McAuley High School
Advancement Office
631 Stevens Ave.
Portland, Maine 04103