Obituary for Mary Ellen Flynn (Driscoll)
Mary Ellen (Driscoll) Flynn, of Rocky Hill, formerly of Hartford, died on August 31, 2021 at age 89. She was the beloved wife of John E. Flynn. Mary Ellen was born in New Britain on July 5, 1932, the daughter of the late Daniel and Mary (Lynch) Driscoll. She was a graduate of New Britain High School, Class of 1950 and late attended the University of Hartford and Central Ct. State University. While in high school, she belonged to the Saint John's Fife and Drum Corps. In parades, they were usually teamed up with the Farmington Fire Department, winning many awards for their performance over the years.
Mary Ellen married John, formerly of Unionville on October 3, 1953. Together they lived and raised their two children, Daniel and Kathleen, in Hartford. Mary Ellen and John moved to Rocky Hill in 1998. She was employed by Aetna Life insurance Company for 12 years in the Comptrollers Office. She also worked for 17 years as a paraprofessional at Kennelly School in Hartford. Upon her retirement in 1992, she received an award from the Hartford Board of Education for her meritorious service. Other employment included several years at the Democratic State Central Committee in Hartford.
Mary Ellen's greatest love was for her husband, her children and her grandchildren. Her second greatest love was for politics and community service. Some of her community service included such offices as President of the Kennelly School PTA, President of Public Housing Corporation of Hartford, President of the Hartford Democratic Women's Club, Director of the Ct. State Federated Women's Club, Director of Workbank, District Coordinator, Voter Registration of Hartford, Delegate to the Greater Hartford Labor Council and Vice-Chairman of the Charter Revision Committee in Hartford. In addition to the above, she was selected to be a judge for the Irish American Home Scholarship Committee. Mary Ellen also found time to be the Legislative Chairman of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, Post 2138 in Rocky Hill, In 1979 she ran for and won the office of State Representative for the 1St Assembly District in Hartford. Her candidacy was endorsed by the Hartford Courant as the most qualified of the candidates seeking that office. She worked with various committees with the State, including Education, Public Housing and Aging. After serving as State Representative, Mary Ellen was appointed by Governor William O'Neill to be a Commissioner for Bradley International Airport, serving for 18 years. She was also appointed as a Commissioner of the Hartford Civic Center, serving another 10 years. Upon her move to Rocky Hill, she ran for and was elected to two terms on the Rocky Hill Board of Education. After that Mary Ellen was elected to three terms on the Rocky Hill Town Council. She served as Chairman of Public Safety, School Liaison and Senior Task Force. In her last election, she was the highest vote getter, qualifying her to be Deputy Mayor. In 2007, the Town of Rocky Hill issued a Proclamation signed by Anthony P. LaRosa, then Mayor of Rocky Hill, recognizing Mary Ellen for her years of public service and designating March 17, 2002 as "Mary Ellen Flynn Day." She was recognized for her "many contributions to the town and society and for her years of service to others and someone who is respected and admired by all. "At the same time, she was appointed the 2007 Parade Marshall for the Saint Patrick Day Parade.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband John and their son Daniel Flynn and his wife Catherine of Fairfax, VA and their daughter Kathleen Gonzalez and her husband Roberto of Wethersfield and their grandchildren, Erin, Michael and Colleen Flynn and Kyle and Marisa Gonzalez. She was predeceased by her only sibling, her sister Kathryn (Driscoll) Giddix.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Mary Ellen's life will be held Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Friends may call on the family from 9:00 to 10:00 am at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. Attendees are required to wear masks. Burial in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, will be private at a later date. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com.
Mary Ellen married John, formerly of Unionville on October 3, 1953. Together they lived and raised their two children, Daniel and Kathleen, in Hartford. Mary Ellen and John moved to Rocky Hill in 1998. She was employed by Aetna Life insurance Company for 12 years in the Comptrollers Office. She also worked for 17 years as a paraprofessional at Kennelly School in Hartford. Upon her retirement in 1992, she received an award from the Hartford Board of Education for her meritorious service. Other employment included several years at the Democratic State Central Committee in Hartford.
Mary Ellen's greatest love was for her husband, her children and her grandchildren. Her second greatest love was for politics and community service. Some of her community service included such offices as President of the Kennelly School PTA, President of Public Housing Corporation of Hartford, President of the Hartford Democratic Women's Club, Director of the Ct. State Federated Women's Club, Director of Workbank, District Coordinator, Voter Registration of Hartford, Delegate to the Greater Hartford Labor Council and Vice-Chairman of the Charter Revision Committee in Hartford. In addition to the above, she was selected to be a judge for the Irish American Home Scholarship Committee. Mary Ellen also found time to be the Legislative Chairman of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, Post 2138 in Rocky Hill, In 1979 she ran for and won the office of State Representative for the 1St Assembly District in Hartford. Her candidacy was endorsed by the Hartford Courant as the most qualified of the candidates seeking that office. She worked with various committees with the State, including Education, Public Housing and Aging. After serving as State Representative, Mary Ellen was appointed by Governor William O'Neill to be a Commissioner for Bradley International Airport, serving for 18 years. She was also appointed as a Commissioner of the Hartford Civic Center, serving another 10 years. Upon her move to Rocky Hill, she ran for and was elected to two terms on the Rocky Hill Board of Education. After that Mary Ellen was elected to three terms on the Rocky Hill Town Council. She served as Chairman of Public Safety, School Liaison and Senior Task Force. In her last election, she was the highest vote getter, qualifying her to be Deputy Mayor. In 2007, the Town of Rocky Hill issued a Proclamation signed by Anthony P. LaRosa, then Mayor of Rocky Hill, recognizing Mary Ellen for her years of public service and designating March 17, 2002 as "Mary Ellen Flynn Day." She was recognized for her "many contributions to the town and society and for her years of service to others and someone who is respected and admired by all. "At the same time, she was appointed the 2007 Parade Marshall for the Saint Patrick Day Parade.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband John and their son Daniel Flynn and his wife Catherine of Fairfax, VA and their daughter Kathleen Gonzalez and her husband Roberto of Wethersfield and their grandchildren, Erin, Michael and Colleen Flynn and Kyle and Marisa Gonzalez. She was predeceased by her only sibling, her sister Kathryn (Driscoll) Giddix.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Mary Ellen's life will be held Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Friends may call on the family from 9:00 to 10:00 am at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. Attendees are required to wear masks. Burial in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, will be private at a later date. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com.