Sheila Flynn

Sheila (Ryan) Flynn, 85, a longtime resident of Hampden, MA, Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry, Ireland and Groton Long Point, CT, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Sheila was born in Webster, MA on July 18, 1934, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Henry) Ryan. She was a graduate of Webster High School and continued her education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education and was a member/President of the Kappa Theta sorority. A faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Hampden, she spent over thirty years creating beautiful gardens at the church shrine for all to enjoy. Sheila had a kind and friendly spirit, making everyone who knew her feel warm and loved. She enjoyed sharing stories about places she had traveled, adventures she had taken, and people she had once known but never forgotten. She was a tireless volunteer for the PTA, the Boy Scouts, Minnechaug sports, the Town of Hampden, and whoever needed her help at that moment. When her time wasn’t occupied by volunteering, family, or gardening, she read mystery novels, solved crossword puzzles, watched Jeopardy, and researched her family’s Irish roots. Her family treasured her, and never took her for granted. In addition to her parents she was also predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, John M. Flynn, on December 27, 2012. She is survived by her eight devoted children, Thomas Flynn and his wife, Cathiann, of Beverly Hills, FL, John D. Flynn and his wife, Diane, of Hampden, Jillen Holmes and her husband, Thomas, of Somerville, MA, Michael Flynn and his wife, Janice, of Groton Long Point, CT, Daniel Flynn and his wife, Marcia, of West Brookfield, MA, Megan Ashe and her husband, Terry, of Newburyport, MA, Cornelius Flynn and his wife, Cindy, of Hampden, MA, and Francis Flynn and his wife, Christina, of Stanford, CA. She also leaves 25 cherished grandchildren and five great-granddaughters. Family and friends will gather and remember Sheila on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 4-7p.m. at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA. Friends are asked to meet at 10a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020 for a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church in Hampden. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hampden, for our final goodbye. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Shrine Fund, 27 Somers Road, Hampden, MA, 01036 or St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. For additional information please visit www.byronkeenan.com