Mary Joanna Flynn

Mary entered this world as Mary Joanna Byrd on July 13, 1945 in a small rural town called Stillmore, Georgia. She was born the third child to her parents John Brooks (J.B.) and Vera Mae Byrd. Mary grew up on the family farm in Metter, Georgia, which the family was blessed to have. The springs and summers were very challenging as there was much work to be done in order to maintain and care for the land; Mary was no stranger to hard work.

Mary received her early childhood education at Aline public school and Lillian Street High School. During Mary’s teenage years, she always looked forward to the annual home coming parades and football games at the state fair. Mary was always a part of all the fun and excitement; she was extremely popular and loved by all. Mary was voted by her classmates “The Most Beautiful Girl” in the class, an accolade she would never let her children forget. When Mary graduated high school in 1964, she knew there were many adventures awaiting her over the horizon. Her quest for higher education led her to Albany State College in Albany, Georgia in the Fall of 1964 and she majored in elementary education. She excelled academically and always achieved a spot on the Dean’s List. She also attended City University of New York, Queens College in Queens, New York after relocating to New York City.

In the summer of 1966, Mary left Georgia to seek employment in New York City. She met and married the love of her life, the late Michael Robert Flynn, Sr.; affectionately called Robert. Mary was bestowed the title of “First Sister-in-Law” amongst Robert’s siblings. Robert and Mary loved their 5 children: Michael, Mark, Ian, Marie, and Joann. Mary loved to travel with her family and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her beautiful home, especially during the holidays. Mary gained employment at Long Island Jewish Hospital and worked as a Unit Coordinator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She carefully monitored and cared for premature babies which required a lot of love and attention; this was a very rewarding position for her as it brought great joy. Mary sadly retired from Long Island Jewish Hospital after dedicating 20 years of service to relocate to South Florida. She was beginning a new chapter in her life with her family during the Summer of 1986. Mary did not stay retired for too long as her love of caring for the babies led her back to work and she started another chapter in her career at Plantation General Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Mary truly enjoyed going to work each day and devoted another 24 years at Plantation General Hospital before her second retirement in April of 2012. She again, sadly retired with a heavy heart, as she needed to devote all her time and energy to care for her ailing husband who later passed away in January of 2015. Mary developed many great friendships with her Plantation General Hospital family, and they continued to celebrate very special moments over the years.

Mary’s spiritual journey began at a very early age when she confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was baptized as a faithful member of Sam’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church and sang in the Youth Choir and Young Adult Choir. Upon moving to New York City, Mary began to worship with her husband as Seventh-Day Adventists, where she became a faithful member of Linden Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Once relocating to South Florida, Mary transferred her membership to Fort Lauderdale Seventh-Day Adventist Church where she continued her fellowship and devotion to Jesus. Mary served as a Deaconess for over 30 years and was recognized for her untiring efforts and contributions. Mary had a commitment to her Lord and Creator and by God’s grace chose to live a healthy and temperate lifestyle. Her commitment led her to share in the glory with others where she devoted her services in the Health Ministry Department by coordinating the annual health fairs at Fort Lauderdale Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was fulfilled by volunteering her time weekly at the food pantry as well as visiting and praying with the sick and shut-in.

Among those left to mourn her passing are her five children: Michael, Mark, Ian, Marie and Joann; their spouses: Jasmine, Lorna, Tamara, and Don; ten grandchildren: Sasha, Alex, Monique, Angelique, Robert, Ayanna, Brittany, Cheyann, Darius and Lauren; six great-grandchildren: Dante, Sariyah, Josiah, Autumn, Moses and Amari; five siblings: Annie Pearl Medley, Hubert Byrd, Levera Kennedy, Ernestine Goosby and Loretta Kennedy; brothers and sisters-in-law, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, god-children, many extended family members and innumerable friends. Mary was affectionately known as best friend and confidant, favorite sister, favorite aunt, favorite niece, favorite sister-in-law, favorite cousin, favorite co-worker; just plain favorite.

We will dearly miss our Mary and will be comforted knowing she will be “Going Up Yonder”.