Lois Eileen Myers

Lois Eileen Myers, 74, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at South River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Edgewater, MD, a loving and caring community where she had resided for the past five years. Born in Washington D.C. to the late Guy H. and Garnet (May) Myers, she was the youngest of eight children. Lois was raised on a tobacco farm in Cheltenham, MD, Prince George's County, and often recalled the happy times she experienced while growing up on "the farm". She frequently spoke of her oldest sister, Esther, who had helped to raise her, surrounded by the natural beauty of the land their father had cultivated.
Lois attended Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, MD, where she enjoyed studying French and English. At the age of 18, she met her future husband, Lawrence F. Flanagan Jr., on a blind date while he was stationed at nearby Andrew's Air Force Base. Upon graduating high school, she married Larry in his hometown of Attleboro, MA, at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, with her new sister-in-law and lifelong friend, Gail (Flanagan) Knobel, serving as her Maid of Honor. Together, Lois and Larry had four children, living at different times in both Florida and Southern Maryland. Sadly, they lost their second son, Sean, to childhood leukemia at the age of 11 in 1973. Lois's children were her focus throughout her life, and instilling the importance of education and learning in them was a value she consistently promoted. Although she was not able to attend college herself, she was proud that all three of her surviving children went on to attain university degrees; one in Medicine, one in Law and one in Social Work. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed writing poetry and prose. She spent many creative hours composing at her typewriter, and was honored to have some of her many poems published.
In her later years, Lois thoroughly enjoyed her six grandchildren who survive her: Coral and Drew Flanagan; Trevor and Cait Cox; Cormac and Mary Flanagan. She is also survived by three children and their spouses: Michael (Cyndi) Flanagan of State College, PA; Jennifer (Tom) Cox of La Plata, MD; Todd (Kristin) Flanagan of Fairfax, VA; two sisters, Esther Carter Shook (Ed) and Claire Parker (Bill); a brother, Roger (Audrey) Myers; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Larry; son, Sean; brothers, Billy and Wayne; and sisters, Theola and Ann. Lois will be remembered as a bright, articulate and generous person who frequently extended a helping hand and home to those in need.
A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon, Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Plata, MD, when all of her children and grandchildren, extended family and friends can attend. A reception will follow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church.
In appreciation of the many years of loving care they provided her, memorial contributions may be made in her name to South River Health and Rehabilitation Center, 144 Washington Road, Edgewater, MD 21037.



This obituary was originally published in the Maryland Independent.