Kathleen Flynn
Kathleen Terese Flynn (“Kaye”) of Westchester, IL, beloved wife of the late James Daniel Flynn, passed away December 8th, 2018.
She was born July 28, 1928 to Albert Anton and Katherine Veronica (Donovan) Kuhle in Sioux City, IA.
At the age of four her family moved to La Grange, IL., where she attended Saint Francis Xavier Elementary School and Nazareth Academy. She graduated in 1949 from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN with a B.A. in chemistry and biology.
Following graduation she pursued a career in industry. After five unsuccessful job interviews, where the fact that she was already engaged obviously eliminated her from consideration, she decided to slip her engagement ring from James off her finger. When asked about boyfriends and marriage plans during a sixth interview at Armour Company in Chicago, she demurred that there was no one special and landed the job. At Christmas six months later she “got engaged”. She was an analytical chemist and a team supervisor for nearly four years working on special creams for gangrene and sutures. Her first pregnancy ended her chemistry career as it was mandatory then to be terminated once pregnant.
She married James on September 9, 1950 after eight years of courtship. Her husband had fallen in love at first sight and said she looked like Veronica Lake. Kaye was just 14 and James 18 when they first met. They loved dancing to all the big bands particularly at Willow-brook. We have a collection of all the love letters James wrote her at least every day from boot camp during WWII.
They lived on Park Road in LaGrange for 33 years, raising a family with four children before moving to Westchester.
In 1968 a former high school classmate, Sister Ethel, asked her to be an interim head of the office for Nazareth Academy for just six weeks. She stayed for 28 years and received the In Te Domine Speravi Award in 1990 for her service. Very early in her tenure she decided to computerize the school records and recommended the purchase of a “Lisa” computer. She took courses on her own and completed the conversion. To over two decades of “Naz” graduates she was known as “Mrs. Flynn in the office” and for her mentorship of office interns, her above and beyond service to faculty and staff, and her advocacy for all students.
James and Kaye traveled to all 50 states and 19 countries. She planned summer vacations for her family every year that took her children all over the United States and Canada. Every winter for over 15 years they were “snowbirds” in the Florida Panhandle. With their daughter, Katherine, they became avid genealogists, doing many research trips in the US and visiting several ancestral towns of origin in Ireland and Germany.
Another hobby was knitting. There was not a pattern she could not master and she made afghan blankets and sweaters for all her grandchildren and many of her nieces and nephews.
She was known for her thoughtfulness and kindness. She kept an anniversary and birthday book sending cards to many on these occasions. Throughout her numerous hospitalizations and assisted living care she always thanked every staff member for even the smallest thing they did for her.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, her parents and her sister, Shelia. She is survived by her cherished children and their spouses: Katherine Eleanor (James Smith) of St. Charles, IL, James Albert of Chatsworth, CA, Robert Matthew (Kathy Woitel) of Third Lake, IL, and Denis Bernard (Linda Booher) of Lutz, FL; her beloved grandchildren: Kara Smith, Alana Smith, Kaitlyn Flynn, Meghann Flynn, Marina Flynn and Michael Riley Flynn; and her beloved sister, Mary Ann (Kuhle) Sarsfield of New Berlin, WI; and many loved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grandnephews
The family thanks the excellent care she received from the staff at La Grange, Hinsdale, and Delnor hospitals, Autumn Leaves of St. Charles, and the Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence in Elk Grove Village.
Visitation 4 to 8pm on Friday, December 14th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Funeral prayers on Saturday, December 15th at 9:15 am from the funeral home to St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring Ave., La Grange for Mass at 10am. Interment service afterwards at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Alexian Brothers Hospice (https://www.amitahealth.org/services/hospice/hospice-care#donations) or Nazareth Academy (http://www.nazarethacademy.com).
Funeral info: (708) 352-6500
God Bless You Aunt Kaye.
Love Jane Flynn Haga
I only had the good fortune of knowing Kaye for several months at Autumn Leaves. She was a true friend to my mother. Her friendship had such a positive impact on my mom. She is missed terribly by both my mom and myself. I found Kaye was one of the most gracious women I have ever had the privilege to spend time with. Even while experiencing extreme pain she was concerned for others. Kaye was a BEAUTIFUL woman that I feel blessed to have known!
I remember “Mrs. Flynn” from as far back as I can remember. I remember visiting their house on Park in LaGrange and I remember attending fireworks together with the Flynns when we were young children. My wife and I have been enjoying the dining room table and buffet that was given to us by Jim and Kaye when we moved into our first house in 1985 and it is still going strong. She was also one of the few, who like my Mother, always called me Robert instead of Rob like most people. Many fond memories. Condolences to the family.
I did not know of Kaye’s passing. She was a dearly loved cousin of my mother, Madalyn Kinney Cross. She was a gracious, fun lady. I always enjoyed her humor and family stories. My thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Barbara Cross Guida
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Flynn’s passing. I looked up her address just now to send a long overdue Christmas Card. She was a sweetheart and I loved working for her in the office at Nazareth Academy for 3 years from 1976 through 1978. She always called me “Barbie” and saved the absentee lists for me to pass out. So very sorry that I hadn’t kept in touch. May fond memories comfort you in your loss. Love,