Maureen Flanagan

Maureen Flanagan, R.N., 67, of Greenwich, and recipient of the American Red Cross Nursing Hero Award for her actions on 9/11, passed away on November 30th after bravely living with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease since her diagnosis in 2013. She died in the comfort of her own home, lovingly cared for by her family and caregivers.

Maureen was the devoted mother of Matthew Acocella and Meredith Acocella, mother-in-law to Kristin Shelden Acocella, adoring grandmother of Caroline and William Acocella, loving sister to Anne, Ellen, Patricia, Kate and Jack Flanagan and Denise Flanagan Burns, doting aunt to her nephews Ambrose Gillon and Connor Flanagan and her niece Elise Ferone, and lifelong friend to Janet Duffy and many others. She was predeceased by her parents, Ruth and John Flanagan, and her nephew John J. Flanagan II.

Maureen was born and raised on Staten Island, where she graduated from St. Adalbert’s grammar school and Port Richmond High School. She received her Associates’ Degree in Nursing from Hunter College in 1980, and later completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at the College of Staten Island in 1998.

A skilled and compassionate nurse, Maureen worked as a registered nurse at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Hospital and Victory Memorial Hospital before joining the medical department at the headquarters of Merrill Lynch in New York City, a job that she loved.

On September 11th, 2001, after learning that a plane had hit the World Trade Center, Maureen grabbed her medical bag and hitched a ride down the West Side Highway towards the danger in order to help. She met up with her fellow Merrill Lynch nurse coworkers from Merrill’s One World Financial Center, across the street from the WTC. Together, Maureen and her coworkers continued treating victims on street level across from the WTC until the South Tower collapsed and they had to evacuate the area. It was for these efforts that she received The American Red Cross Nursing Hero Award in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., in 2002.

Maureen was happiest at the beach. She was always active: whether it was rollerblading up the West Side highway on her lunch hour, spin class, ski club, or training for half marathons. Her love of music and dancing was also a constant, animating her until her last days.

A funeral mass and interment of Maureen’s ashes will be held at a future date. Details will follow.

Donations in her memory can be made to The River House at https://www.theriverhouse.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com for the Flanagan family.