Obituary for Mary Rita Flanagan
Guilderland Mary Rita Flanagan passed away Sunday March 21, 2021 after a two year struggle with cancer. Mary Rita was born on Aug. 11, 1946 in Troy to the late Timothy A. and Yolanda R. Patregnani Flanagan. She grew up in Waterford and attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and then Catholic Central High School.
Mary Rita began her career with the NYS Education Department and attended classes at several local colleges at night to earn her Masters Degree in Public Administration. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY Albany. She continued to work at NYS Ed until her retirement in 2005.
Mary Rita and Michael A. Byrne, her life partner of 40 years, spent summers at Sacandaga Lake where they swam every evening. During the winter they could be found at Thacher Park and Saratoga Spa State Park cross country skiing.
Mary Rita and Michael enjoyed live concerts. They were subscribers to the Albany Symphony Orchestra and past members of SPAC, where they attended many NYC Ballet and Philadelphia Ochestra performances. They also liked going to rock concerts at local venues. She especially enjoyed going to NYC to see her favorites including: Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison and Zucchero.
Mary Rita was also a sports fan. Besides watching on television, they went to games at Shea, Citi Field, Yankee Stadium and Meadowlands, later Met Life Stadium. However Citi Field was her favorite stadium. She also was a horse racing fan and loved spending the day at Saratoga.
As much as they enjoyed their interests, Mary Rita and Michael enjoyed each other’s company most of all.
In addition to her life partner, she is survived by her brother Timothy A. Flanagan of Waterford. She also leaves behind an aunt, many cousins and friends.
Michael would like to thank everyone who has been praying for her. A special thank you to Fr. John E. Welch M.S., who kept Mary Rita in his daily prayers and masses.
“Rest easy my love, your painful journey is over.”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral mass on Thursday at 11 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 119 Broad St., Waterford. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford.
There will be no public viewing hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Archangel St. Raphael Holy Healing Ministry, Inc, PO Box 234, South Grafton, MA 01560.
Mary Rita began her career with the NYS Education Department and attended classes at several local colleges at night to earn her Masters Degree in Public Administration. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY Albany. She continued to work at NYS Ed until her retirement in 2005.
Mary Rita and Michael A. Byrne, her life partner of 40 years, spent summers at Sacandaga Lake where they swam every evening. During the winter they could be found at Thacher Park and Saratoga Spa State Park cross country skiing.
Mary Rita and Michael enjoyed live concerts. They were subscribers to the Albany Symphony Orchestra and past members of SPAC, where they attended many NYC Ballet and Philadelphia Ochestra performances. They also liked going to rock concerts at local venues. She especially enjoyed going to NYC to see her favorites including: Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison and Zucchero.
Mary Rita was also a sports fan. Besides watching on television, they went to games at Shea, Citi Field, Yankee Stadium and Meadowlands, later Met Life Stadium. However Citi Field was her favorite stadium. She also was a horse racing fan and loved spending the day at Saratoga.
As much as they enjoyed their interests, Mary Rita and Michael enjoyed each other’s company most of all.
In addition to her life partner, she is survived by her brother Timothy A. Flanagan of Waterford. She also leaves behind an aunt, many cousins and friends.
Michael would like to thank everyone who has been praying for her. A special thank you to Fr. John E. Welch M.S., who kept Mary Rita in his daily prayers and masses.
“Rest easy my love, your painful journey is over.”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral mass on Thursday at 11 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 119 Broad St., Waterford. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford.
There will be no public viewing hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Archangel St. Raphael Holy Healing Ministry, Inc, PO Box 234, South Grafton, MA 01560.