Jessie Dear Flynn

Jessie Dear Flynn was the adored wife and soulmate of Thomas C. Flynn. Devoted mother of Kiersten (Ray) Gascon, Lauren Flynn (Dean Herbstreit), Darren Flynn (Laura Ranger-Flynn), Sharon Flynn (Jim Kuznar). Loving and caring Oma (Grandma) to: Matthew Gascon, Natasha Eck, Regan Eck, Alexis Eck, Meghann Herbstreit, Gavin Flynn, Abigail Flynn, Meredith Flynn, Bridger Clarke, Braden Clarke, Peyton Kuznar, and Parker Kuznar. She was Aunt Jessie to many nieces and nephews, and sister to Rev. Charles Dear, Jr. (Donna). She also held a special place in her heart for Lorinc Kovacs who became a brother to the family as he visited from Romania and lived with the Flynns while studying at Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Pittsburgh. Predeceased by her parents, Pastor Charles and Velma Dear, and her brother Terrence Dear (Anne). Before meeting Tom, Jessie began her music career as a teenager in Philadelphia, making her name as a gifted singer. She toured nationally and internationally as a solo artist. She earned a Bachelor and Master of Music at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey. Jessie also served as an educator in various public schools and universities, and worked at Coca-Cola and CalComp, using her MBA from Robert Morris University. Jessie, along with Tom, founded the Providence International Foundation, a ministry that included personally delivering shoes to orphanages in Transylvania, Romania. For more than their 67 years of marriage, Tom felt privileged to accompany and conduct her soprano roles, be they religious or secular performances. Because of her dedication to raising a family, rather than continuing to tour, she remained on the roster of Pittsburgh Opera for a quarter century. While staying close to home, she would share the stage with artists such as Pavarotti and Beverly Sills. As an accomplished quilter she would often take squares of her latest project to rehearsals. One of her quilts won the Good Housekeeping National Quilting Award. She loved to sew and made matching outfits for her four children, sometimes using the scraps to teach her daughters how to sew clothes for their dolls. She stressed the importance of education and strong morals, encouraging her children and grandchildren to dream big, and she mentored them in creating a path to make those dreams come true. Her sense of humor and congeniality made her a wonderful hostess, be it a party or making room at the dinner table for her children’s friends or neighbors. Our loss is shared by family, friends, and professional colleagues, here and abroad. Her resting place will be near the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. Immediate family will gather for interment. Condolences can be sent to PO Box 162, Nellysford, VA 22958