Frances V. Flynn
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
1929 - 2026
OBITUARY
FLYNN - Frances Veronica (Dunn) Flynn, 96, of New Hyde Park, NY, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026 in the presence of her family.
Born on New Year’s Eve 1929 in Brooklyn, NY to Richard and Nora (Kilgallen) Dunn, Fran had a very happy childhood surrounded by her family of three brothers, her sister and a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her early life was also shaped by the dedicated Catholic priests and nuns of her family parish, St. Catharine of Alexandria.
Fran graduated from Drake Business School in 1949 and became the secretary for the Cleveland Graphite Bronze Company (later Clevite Corporation), a major manufacturer of automotive and aircraft bearings. The 1950s was the golden age of the secretary - the stylish and poised women who kept America’s offices running, shaping modern business life with grace and precision. The position demanded sophistication and maturity: managing the heartbeat and politics of an organization while mastering every technical skill of the pre-computer age. Fran was very proud of her position and she was one of the very best. Working in the renowned Chrysler Building, she would often venture across the street at lunchtime to browse the latest photography equipment and buy the new Kodachrome color slide film that would go on to capture so many cherished family memories over the years.
In 1956, Fran married her best friend, Edward Flynn, who lived just around the corner from her. Bound by their Catholic faith and family values, they set out on the adventure of their lifetimes. When they moved from Brooklyn to raise their seven children on Long Island, Fran insisted her widowed mother come with them. Even while managing a wonderfully chaotic household, Fran provided her family a loving home with a quiet, selfless determination. The love that Fran and Ed gave to each other, and all that they created together, will live on in their family and in many generations to come.
Fran’s greatest gift to all the people she knew can be summed up in a single word – “comfort”. With humility and grace, she showed us all the richness of a life dedicated to caring for others. Whenever life became too difficult, you always knew that you had a place to come home to on Elm Court where Fran was waiting with compassion, patience and, of course, “a nice piece of cake and a hot cup of tea”. Whatever was weighing on you that day, Fran always knew how to take the edge off. She was a great listener and a great problem solver - an extraordinary caregiver.
In the end, Fran showed us that the brightest lives are rarely the loudest. The brightest lives are the ones spent quietly, faithfully lighting the way for others.
Fran is survived by her seven children and their spouses: Patricia Mancuso and Ted Placek; Edward and Claire (Farese) Flynn; Thomas and Antonietta (Orologio) Flynn; Mary and Lawrence Sloan; Catherine and Thomas DiMaria; Richard and Erin (O’Leary) Flynn; and Frances Flynn. She is also survived by her seventeen grandchildren and their spouses: James Mancuso and Erlene; Elizabeth DePasquale and Thomas; William Mancuso; Katherine May and Matthew; John Flynn and Shaina; Michael Flynn and Kathryn; Allison Ercole and Michael; Stephanie DiGiacomo and Matthew; Jessica Flynn; Thomas Flynn and Sophie; Caitlin Gaffney and Scott; Lawrence Sloan and Lauren; Megan Kampa and David; Patrick DiMaria; Nora DiMaria; Grace Flynn; and Richard Flynn. Fran is further survived by fifteen great-grandchildren.
Fran was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Edward Flynn; her parents, Richard and Nora Dunn; and her siblings, Joseph Dunn, Rev. Msgr. Richard Dunn, Patricia Dunn, and Peter Dunn.
VISITATION
Sunday, July 19
2:00 - 4:00 PM & 6:00 - 9:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL MASS
Monday, July 20
10:45 AM
Notre Dame R.C. Church
45 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, NY
INTERMENT
St. Charles Cemetery 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY
DONATIONS
Please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
in Memory of Fran's baby sister Patricia Ann Dunn