Marylou Flanagan

Mary Louise Flanagan, age 85, was called home to Heaven by her Savior on Saturday, February 25, 2017. From her birth in Johnstown, PA in 1931 to her death on Saturday, she nourished people around her with her love and faith. She was the only surviving child born to Malcolm Murray and Frances Belle (Summers) Poorman. After graduation from Southmont High School, she attended Otterbein College in Delaware, OH, earning Bachelor's Degrees in both Home Economics and Speech & Theater in 1953. Following her graduation she moved to Northwest Ohio as a graduate teaching assistant in Speech & Theater at BGSU. Coming to Findlay, OH as Director of Christian Education for St. Mark's UM Church, she met and married violinist David Clair Flanagan, strings teacher in the Findlay City Schools in 1955. After his death in 1966, she began her teaching career with fourth grade students at Northview Elementary School where she taught for over 20 years. She ended her career with six years at Jefferson Elementary School, teaching three years of fourth graders and then second graders. After her retirement, MaryLou generously gave her time in volunteer service, working many years with Alzheimer's daycare, first at St. John's Lutheran Church and then at Birchaven. She served on the Board of Trustees of Mission Possible, sponsoring schools and churches in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. By 2002, she had traveled on mission trips to Haiti 15 times. Ever one to invest her life in younger generations, her sponsorship of various students and teachers included Pastor/Evangelist Herve` Pierre of St. Marc, Haiti, and artist Widler Germain. She was a member of New Life Assembly of God Church. Left to honor and remember her are MaryLou's and David's three daughters, Eileen (Richard) Rufenacht of Defiance, OH, Betty Jean Flanagan of Findlay, and Joyce (Steve Steiner) Flanagan of Madison, IN; six grandchildren, Caleb (Justine Ludwig) Mathern, David Rufenacht, Christen (Alex Panek) Mathern, Rachel (Andrew) Moores, Wesley (Elena) Mathern, and Emily Mathern; and two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Holden Mathern; as well as several nieces and nephews and countless dear friends, former students and associates. MaryLou was preceded in death by her parents, a still-born brother, and her husband David. She will be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various schools and churches she served. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, March 3 at 1:00 pm at New Life Assembly of God, 3120 Norcrest St, Findlay, OH with the Rev. Dutch VanderVlucht officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (12 Noon - 1 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in MaryLou's name to Mission Possible (ourmissionispossible.org) or the Findlay City Schools orchestral program. The Flanagan family extends gratitude to all the staff at the Heritage Estates for the loving support given to our mother. Hufford Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.