Annette Flink Reynolds

Annette Flink Reynolds, 77, passed away peacefully in her Birmingham, AL home on June 14th, 2024, in the loving presence of her two daughters. Annette lived a uniquely expressive, authentic, and passionate life which will be remembered with deep affection and appreciation not only in her community, but around the world.

Annette was born on November 6th, 1946, in Elkton, MD, and raised in Miami, FL. She graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1964, received an RN degree from Georgia State University and Grady Hospital in Atlanta, GA, an MPS in Art Therapy & Creativity Development from Pratt University in Brooklyn, NY and a Clinical Pastoral Education certification from UAB in Birmingham, AL. She served on many Boards of Directors including the Alabama Art Therapy Association, the Norton Advisory Board at Birmingham Southern College, and Friends of Jung-South; and was the founder or a founding member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Siddha Ashram Center, The Labyrinth Society, Oasis Women's Counseling Center, The Alabama Art Therapy Association, The Labyrinth Project of Alabama, and most recently Manitou Cave of Alabama, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 2016 to protect and preserve a once sacred site in North Alabama.

As a Clinical Arts Therapist, registered nurse, ordained Interfaith Minister, and CPE Hospital Chaplain, Annette created unique, multi-model positions and programs wherever she went. For over 50 years, she served as a leader, educator, workshop facilitator, and volunteer in multiple fields of healthcare and human services, assisting individuals and groups of all ages and abilities. Locally and nationally, she worked in a variety of community and education settings, including geriatric home health care, mental health facilities, children's grief camps, cancer support groups, hospital psychiatric and obstetrical units, an alternative high school, and as a college lecturer, advisor, and supervisor. As a volunteer, Annette helped children and adults who had experienced trauma from natural disaster, war, illness, homelessness, sexual abuse, and human trafficking in the United States, Haiti, Bosnia, Russia, Thailand, India, Kenya, and Ghana. She committed all of herself to supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others.

Annette was deeply grateful to the people who contributed to her values, qualities, and strength. She was a descendent of immigrant grandparents from Lithuania and the Ukraine and her multicultural family helped to shape her expansive worldview. She traveled extensively as a pilgrim and "lived with the people, carried water from the well, cooked on the ground, slept on the roof, ate with my hands, and prayed with them, without judgement." Annette was a gifted artist and dancer, and believed “everyone is an artist, and your life is your art.”

Annette was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Blendy Flink her parents, Harry and Emma Flink; her sister, Maria Madigan; and brother-in-law, Bobby Lamm. She is survived by her daughters, Missy Reynolds Turner and Anna Reynolds; her sister, Joan Lamm and brother, Mike Flink; grandchildren, Lyra Belisle and Cash Turner; as well many whom she considered family around the world.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 30th, 2024 at 2pm, The Farrell in Homewood, AL. Annette was dedicated to making the world a better place, to being the change she wanted to see. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do the same - go out and make a difference; inspire, create, serve others, champion a cause, and share Annette's joy and enthusiasm for life with those around you.