Mary Grace Flannery

Mary Grace Flannery (Hastings) was born October 14,1940 in Minneapolis, MN. She spent her final hours surrounded by her family. Her generous heart stopped beating on November 24, 2025. She was 85.

Throughout her life, Mary Grace was a source of strength and competence in the lives of her family, friends, and the broader communities where she lived, worked, and travelled. She lived her life determined to make the world better; to be alert, active, noticing problems and being part of the solution. And she instilled those values in her children and grandchildren. She exuded a quiet, persistent "truth compass", that those around her grew to rely on. If you need a gut check, ask Mary Grace.

She was the third of seven children raised in a tight-knit south Minneapolis neighborhood where she made lifelong friends. She attended Catholic schools where she excelled academically and earned a scholarship to St. Catherine University (St. Kate's) in St. Paul. She was attending St. Kate's when her father died. She completed a degree in Literature and Elementary Education while living at home helping her mother raise four younger siblings.

After graduating, she married David Flannery in 1963, and they had three children. Mary Grace worked as an elementary school teacher for two years. While the children were young she was active as a volunteer in community and civic education, through the League of Women Voters and political campaigns. In the 1970s she re-focused her career and worked in community development and affordable housing. She was one of the first three employees at Westminster Housing (now CommonBond Communities) working to build new affordable housing for seniors in MN. In 1975 she was the first woman appointed to the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority board by then Mayor Albert Hofstede. Her career in community-based economic and housing development spanned decades. She served as Executive Director to several nonprofit corporations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and then as a leadership and training consultant to nonprofits throughout the State of Minnesota. Over the years, Mary Grace mentored and supported many young people as they grew into leadership roles. She considered this active mentorship the most important and joyful duty, ensuring brighter futures and stronger communities.

In 1990, when she was 50, Mary Grace attended Harvard's Kennedy School, where she earned a master's degree in public administration. At Harvard she formed wonderful relationships with a younger generation of leaders. Earning a master's degree was a life goal, and she recalled the time at Harvard as among her best.

Mary Grace spent her late career and retirement years travelling extensively with her husband and family. She was an avid gardener, and art collector. She wholeheartedly appreciated the beauty in the world, and in people she loved and met. She sought to make things better, brighter, and more beautiful.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017. While this was devastating, she was determined to maintain presence and connection. For the first six years of slow but steady decline, she completed the NYT crossword puzzle daily. Until she died, she recognized her family and continued to melt hearts of all caregivers with her dazzling smile and dancing green eyes.

Mary Grace is preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Harry Hastings; siblings, Harry Hasting Jr., Herbert Hastings, Jeanne Speegle, and Bill Hastings, and grandson, Sam Wildenauer. Survived by her husband of 62 years, David Flannery; children, Christopher Flannery (Deb), Elizabeth Flannery (Scott Olson), David Flannery (Sunita); grandchildren, Grace Flannery (Ian), Regan Flannery (Grace), Lux Wildenauer, Brigitte Flannery (Eric), Keshari Flannery, Roshni Flannery; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at Our Lady of Victory Chapel, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota Monday, January 5, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. A reception will follow at the adjacent President's Dining Room, in the Coeur de Catherine Center.

In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to Partners in Health, St. Catherine University, and Simpson Housing Services,