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Dorothy Flynn Obituary

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Dorothy Flynn

Shrewsbury, MA

July 8, 1929 - November 16, 2019

Dorothy Flynn Obituary

SHREWSBURY/NEW HAMPSHIRE – Dorothy, “Dottie” Wysong Flynn passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019. She was loved deeply. Dottie was born on July 8, 1929, the youngest of five children, and raised in Port Washington, New York. She graduated from Syracuse University School of Architecture and worked professionally in New York City, Philadelphia and Boston until her marriage in 1957 to Leonard P. Flynn. The couple settled in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Lenny’s hometown. There they raised three children, Rebecca (O’Brien), William, and Paula (Packard). Dottie and Lenny had a multitude of friends as they were both fun-loving, intelligent and genuinely kind people who shared keen wit and a humorous approach to life. They lived on Main Street, and theirs was a house where people were always stopping by. Dottie was beloved “Grummy” to seven grandchildren: George, Andrew, Madeline, Molly, Christopher, Margaret and Nolan. Visits to Grummy’s were a thrill because she made her house a wonder, filled with wooden toys, books and puzzles and what seemed like endless things to do. She couldn't resist gadgets, which perhaps explains how someone born in 1929 was so darn good with an iphone. Dottie lived to be 90 but was never an old woman. She remained the same person she’d always been--albeit in a body that did not cooperate--an athlete and artist, infinitely curious, with a positive, independent and youthful spirit, which was both remarkable and wonderful to witness. She was a joy to be with because she found such joy in life and other people. An extremely talented individual, Dottie could do about anything with her hands. She sewed her first-day-of-school outfit for kindergarten, her wedding dress, her children’s and grandchildren’s sweaters, hats, mittens and everything in between, always works of art. She refinished furniture, caned chairs, quilted, upholstered, painted and sculpted. There really wasn’t an artistic endeavor she wouldn’t attempt, and invariably her finished product was flawless. Dottie was generous with her talents, giving her time and creations to family, friends and charity. She loved sports--tennis, basketball, golf and football, all of which she played (author’s note: basketball and football were back in college and the football was touch). When she could no longer play, she avidly watched. She was quiet and private, but absolutely open hearted. She will be remembered for her generous spirit, wonderful sense of humor and incredible personal strength. Despite her many gifts and talents, she was humbly accomplished and always outwardly focused. In many ways, Dottie was a pioneer for women of her era. While she was expected to be a full-time homemaker, she managed to sneak in refereeing the high school girls’ basketball team, selling real estate, designing a few buildings and breeding Irish Setters. She took up painting mid-life and, at 90, was still having her work selected by Committee for publication. But at the end of the day, she was “all Mom”, making sure her kids had music lessons, learned to ski and play sports, went to camp and got plenty of time outside so she could say they were “brown as berries”. Most importantly, she taught them by word and deed to be honest, self sufficient and empathetic, and to laugh at themselves. She told them to “not talk about other people, talk about ideas”. For many years Dottie drove a red Jeep Wrangler, a soft top that she claimed was not noisy on the highway. She always waved to other Jeeps and at Christmas she put a wreath on the front. She loved weather and would jump up and down with glee at the first snow. She sent her kids out in rainstorms to literally play in the gutter, sailing things along the water running down Holman Street. Dottie had a classic sense of fashion. Her casual attire often included her signature navy Keds (later more colors appeared) on her feet. Her more formal style was, like her, understated and elegant. She wore no makeup (and didn’t need it), except for some red lipstick in her younger years. Dottie was quietly yet deeply religious and found Bible Study to be infinitely mysterious and engaging. Her faith sustained her on life’s path, and she worried about a world where religion was wavering. Services for this wonderful woman will be in Shrewsbury, MA. Calling hours will be held at Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 19, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 440 Main St, Shrewsbury, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. Flowers are welcome but those wishing to make a donation in memory of Dottie might consider the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA), Box 196, 104 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885. Online at nhspca.org.

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