Mary Irene Flanagan

Mary Irene Flanagan was born January 16, 1949 in Margaretville, NY and passed away on June 23, 2024 in Tavares, FL. She grew up in Roxbury, NY and Canajoharie, NY with her parents Joseph Flanagan Jr. (deceased) & Rose Flanagan (deceased) and 7 siblings Joseph Flanagan III, Roseanne Witkowski, Julie Hancock, Kathleen Flanagan, Bertram Flanagan (deceased), Robert Flanagan and Jeanne Curtis.
Mary graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1967. She was married to John T. Lynch from 1969 until 1982. They had 3 children Thomas Michael Lynch, Eric Todd Lynch and Allyson Marie Lynch. In 1978, Mary graduated from SUNY Albany with a degree in Accounting. She relocated to Broward County, FL in 1982 with her 3 children. She later pursued a Masters Degree at Nova Southeastern University. Professionally, Mary had a work history in Accounting, Project Management, and Massage Therapy.
In the year 2000, after her kids grew up, Mary became enchanted with the Mount Dora area in Central Florida and then relocated there. In 2001, she purchased and plot of land and commissioned her niece, architect Michelle Linck, to create plans for a home in Tavares, FL. The home was constructed and where Mary lived until she passed away.
One of her long-term hobbies was sailing, she purchased a sunfish style sailboat in the 1990's and was an active member in local sailing clubs in Broward County. That sunfish moved with her to Central Florida. After moving to Lake County, Mary both lead and was involved in Democratic clubs and local National Organization for Women chapters. This included her role as President of the Golden Triangle Democratic Club from 2008-2010 and Founder of Lake NOW in 2012. In addition, Mary was a member of the Lake County Democratic Women's Club, an auditor for the Lake County Democratic Party and Membership Chair of Florida NOW.
Mary is survived by her 6 siblings; her 3 children (and Thomas's wife, Jennifer); her 3 grandchildren, Connor, Karina and Kadin Lynch; 10 nieces and nephews, 21 grandnieces and nephews, 5 great-grandnieces and nephews; and her feminist friends and Democrats in Lake County.
Memorials for Mary are planned in Florida in late August honoring Women's Equality Day, and in New York in the Spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary Irene Flanagan's name to Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, 736 Central Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 (telephone number 941-365-3913.)