The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-08-04
Mother Of Priests
Summoned to Reward
Mrs. Catherine Flanagan, Lifelong Resident OF
Brooklyn Section Died Today; Funeral Saturday

grandchildren are playing in life
today may Ulso be cited as addi-
tional evidence of tribute that she
so richly merits. Her passing will
be mourned sincerely by countless
friends and admirers.
Mrs. Flanagan was the daughter
of the late James and Catherine
Kennedy Fitzgerald, who were
among the God-fearing and indus
trious Irish who played such out
standing roles in the affairs of Wa
terbury many years ago and who
achieved much in furthering civic
interests and in providing leaders
in municipal affairs, priests, teach
ers and able citizens, who were re-
spected without questioning by the
general community.
The deceased attended the Old
Porter Street school and later the
Waterbury High school. The names
of many of her classmates became
names in later years Of Waterbury's
who's Who" She showed an ac-
tive interest in neighborhood af-
fairs and in the parochial activities
of the Cleaners society of St. Pat
rick's parish. Her sincerity, her CO.
operative spirit, her jovial DISPOSE
ton and other sterling traits made
her popular figure and formed
the basis of many lifelong friend
ships.
Although family responsibilities
curtailed her many activities, Mrs
Flanagan always manifested keen
interest in her friends welfare and
in the various enterprises of her
church societies. Her general knowl-
edge of the city of Waterbury and
the background of many of its lead
ing families made her a very in
teresting converse tionalist. But per-
haps in the summation of her role
in life. particularly as mother, she
should be presented as the one who
provided the inspiration that led
two sons to abandon worldly ambi-
tons and to enter the priesthood.
What inspiration she gave to nu-
merouS neighborS and friends by her
personal example, her loyalty her
charitableness and consistent kind
ness in acts and deeds throughout
her life remains for her beneficiaries
to add to this brief and inadequate
obituary. Let it suffice to write that
Mrs. Flanagan lived an ideal life
and spent it Lnselfshly for the hap
piness of her family and her friends
and neighbors.
Two of her sons will officiate Sat-
urday morning in the celebra ton
of solemn high mass of requiem
in her honor. Numerous others will
add silent prayers of praise and
thanks in her memory.
Surviving Mrs. Flanagan are four
sons: Rev. Harry E. Flanagan, pas
tor of st. Theresas church at Mon
towese, Conn; Rev. Joseph F..
Flanagan, assistant pastor at ST..
Francis church in Torrington;
Thomas j. Flanagan, welfare super
visor of the Conn. Light g. Power
Co. and James E. Flanagan of the
Largay Co.. three daughters, Miss
Grace E. Flanagan, teacher in the
Hopeville school; Mrs. John German
of Waterbury and Mrs. James
Keane of Danbury. Also two sisters,
Mrs. John Sweeney of this city and
Mrs. Margaret Downey of Newark,
N. j.; and II grandchildren, among
whom are Harold Flanagan, stu
dent at st. Mary's Seminary in Bal
timore, Md; Sister st. Mary Thomas
of the Congregation Of Notre Dame
in New York city, Sergeant Thomas
F. Flanagan of the U. s. Army, sta
toned in England; and William F..
Flanagan, U. s. Coast Guard, sta
toned in New London.
The funeral will be held Satur-
day morning at 9:15 from the Null
vile funeral home, 27o West Main
street. to st. Patrick's church at
10, where solemn high Mass Of
requiem will be celebrated. Burial
will be in new st. Josepfa's. Friends
may call at the funeral home from
2 to p. m. and 7 to 10 p. m. tomor-
row and Friday.