Margaret Ellen Flynn

Sister Margaret Mary Flynn, a member of the community of discalced nuns at the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of St. Carmel and the Little Flower, in Jackson, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at the Monastery on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

Sister Margaret Mary, age 88, was the last of seven nuns from the Carmel of St. Joseph, in Clayton, Missouri, who came to Jackson in November 1951 at the request of the Most Rev. Richard O. Gerow, then Bishop of Natchez, to establish the first and only Carmelite Monastery in the State of Mississippi. When she arrived in Jackson, Sister Margaret Mary was under temporary vows having made her profession on February 19, 1951, to a cloistered life in allegiance to Christ Jesus through mediation and prayer.

Sister Margaret Mary, whose religious name was “Sister Margaret Mary of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,” served her Community as its Prioress for multiple terms during her professed life. She also served as delegate to the three National Associations of Religious Women, and was elected to, and served in, national offices in two of the three Associations.

Sister Margaret Mary will be remembered fondly by all who knew her for her deep religious devotion and her ever kind words of wisdom. She leaves her Community, Sister Dona Marie Degnan, Sister Mary Jane Agonoy, Sister Maria Malacapay and Sister Mary Pauline Javeloza as well as its devoted family of employees and volunteers.

Sister Margaret Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Jane, who was also one of the founding members of the Jackson Carmel, and her brothers, Joseph, Thomas, and Patrick. She is survived by two brothers, John and Daniel, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will take place at the Chapel of Carmelite Monastery, which is located at 2155 Terry Road, in Jackson, on Thursday, January 4, 2018, commencing at 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be at the Chapel on Friday, January 5, commencing at 11:00 a.m. with Father Kevin Slattery presiding. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Gluckstadt.