Daily Breeze Obit

Hey all:

I was just over at the Daily Breeze obit page. There's a real easy way to leave comments if you're interested. Some nice comments there already.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailybreeze/obituary.aspx?n=john-flanagan-jack&pid=136371017

I'll be printing everything out for my mom (that having been said, I'm going to try to introduce her to this "Internet thing" in the coming months).

Monday, November 30, 2009

Greetings all.

Just a couple of words to thank those who joined us at my dad's vigil and also at his funeral. I have no idea how many people were there, but as my Nathaniel said: it looked like Easter!

There is a feature at the mortuary where you can leave a note or a favorite memory of my dad. After a month or two everything will be printed out in a book format for my mom.

You can access the site here:

www.MeM.com

or

http://www.mem.com/ContentDisplay.aspx?ID=17865312

Or just do a search at www.MeM.com for Flanagan J.

Thanks everyone.

xoxoxo

Anne

Jack Flanagan 03-21-25 to 11-22-09

Obit for Tuesday's paper

Flanagan, John (Jack)

After a brief illness, Jack Flanagan passed away on November 22. Born in Glasgow, Scotland on March 21, 1925, Jack lived in the South Bay with his wife Nan and family since 1960. Jack was preceded in death by son Harry, and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nan, daughter Anne and husband John Yenny, daughter Patricia and husband Michael Leighton, son John and wife Ronda, daughter Theresa and husband Peter Wright, son Joseph and wife Julie, 15 grandchildren and brother Harry Flanagan of Glasgow, Scotland.

After retirement in 1988, Jack became a well known, active resident of New Horizons, where he and Nan lived since 1994.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, November 24, at 6:30 pm at Halversons Mortuary, 1223 Cravens Avenue, Torrance. Funeral service will be on Wednesday November 25, at 9:30 am, at Nativity Catholic Church, 1447 Engracia Ave, Torrance.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to your local hospice.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Greetings all. I hope we have managed to make all the calls that needed to made and that you're not finding out about my dad's passing via the Internet. For those calls that should have been made and have not, I apologize. It is a testament to my dad how many lives he has touched over the years.

He went very peacefully at 2:18 this a.m. We knew the end was near and he was surrounded by all of his children except Joe, most of his sons and daughters in law and several grandchildren, and of course my mom, who never left his side.

Joe is flying home from Colorado as we speak. While he feels awful not to have been able to be with my dad at the end he was well represented by his ever-stalwart wife Julie.

For those who have tried to reach me via email, 2 days of ignoring AOL caused my box to become completely full, so your email has probably bounced. I have cleaned out and I can be reached at AnneFlanagan@aol.com My cell # is (626) 393 9100

A rosary has been scheduled for 6:30 pm on Tuesday evening at the mortuary, the funeral will be at Nativity at 9:30 am on Wednesday. Once I get home I will post the addresses.

I can't thank all of you enough for your thoughts and prayers and well wishes. Everyone has been a tremendous comfort to my mom and of course all us kids.

I think my mom is okay and doing as well as can be expected; please know that we are all watching her very closely and promise to take good care of her.

Love to all,
xoxoxo
Anne

Saturday Afternoon

Hi all:

I've made a few calls today in my continuing role as "communications czar". I am stuck in Monrovia with a pot of chicken soup and a bad cold. Doc says I am contagious; I think I will be shot on sight if any Flanagan children see my anywhere near my mom as the last thing she needs is to get sick at this point.

Joe is on a plane as we speak to Colorado; his boys and girls teams keep winning.

My dad has not stirred much since yesterday in the a.m. He is in the hospital bed and on oxygen. Pat, John and Theresa are all taking turns staying with my mom. Hopefully I can take a turn by early next week.

John says he appears to be fairly comfortable, so we are grateful at least for that.

Thanks for everything,

xoxoxo

Anne

Wednesday, November 18

Hi all:

Just to let you know, dad seems to have slowed down some. We have been describing him as "quiet", the best I can do is now describe him as "quieter". His voice is very weak, as are his movements.

Pat and mom made the arrangements to get a hospital bed delivered tomorrow; while his sleeping has been okay he is definitely more comfortable sitting slightly upright in his chair in the living room. Being able to tilt the back of the hospital bed should give him the same comfort.

Pat and I are going to get a big screen TV for the bedroom tomorrow ... I guess mom and dad proved the experts right on how to have a happy marriage as they have never had one in their bedroom in all these years.

We are proceeding with Thanksgiving plans, dinner is going to be at Joe and Julie's this year; it's a miracle they can fit us in between soccer games. Joe's girls and boys teams both had big wins last weekend, meaning there will be more big games this coming weekend. We are hoping Mark and Maureen will be able to join us.

So that's that. We will keep you posted and thanks again for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Mom and dad have received dozens of cards and notes and letters; I can't tell you how much it means to them.

xoxoxo

Anne

Tuesday, November 10

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to let you know I added some new pictures to the albums. There are some misc BBQ pics in Pat's 50th BD and some great pictures of Lane's baptism thanks to Ronda.

Hope all is well,

Anne

Saturday, November 7

Exceptional Service Award

The New Horizons - South Bay Association

takes pleasure in presenting

this certificate to

John "Jack" Flanagan

With deep appreciation for your dedicated and outstanding service as an active resident. We are grateful for your accomplishments as our audio specialist, medical equipment coordinator and the many other talents you shared.

Several board members awarded dad the above today (pictures to the right under "dad's award"). Mom and I were there along with John (Flanagan), Ronda and Taylor.

Dad's efforts over the past 15 years at New Horizons seem to be very much appreciated by the residents.

Dad appears to be feeling about the same; still no pain. Everyone wishes his appetite was better and mom wishes he would drink more fluids. But he has definitely perked up; not sleeping nearly as much and is more more engaged.

Big soccer weekend for Joe; both his boys and girls team won this weekend so Julie is off to Stanislaus with kids in tow.

Saturday, November 7

Am leaving for mom and dad's. Dad is to receive a commendation from their association at New Horizons (you may know it as its Flanagan-Children preferred name: Lost Horizons)

I'll be back later with details and pictures.

Anne

Tuesday, November 3

Hi Everyone.

Stopped by mom and dad's today, bearing soup once again. I think I have finally found something I can cook consistently without screwing up. After 23 years of marriage, the relief in this house is palpable.

The above picture was taken with my Blackberry. I hope everyone is impressed that I actually know how to get it out of my Blackberry, onto my computer and then onto this blog and will not notice that I have no idea how to focus.

The sweater Dad is wearing was knitted by his late sister May years ago. Being made of wool it is being very appreciated now that dad is feeling the cold.

Like a true Flanagan, Dad seems to be reacting well to the extra hour's sleep over the weekend. Mom reports (and I noticed today) that he doesn't seem to need as much sleep. We watched a soccer game; I have no idea who was playing or who won. I seem to be the only Flanagan missing the soccer gene; the only team I follow is Joe's and even then have to believe my siblings (or nieces or nephews, for that matter) when they claim a referee call is bogus.

Dad is feeling about the same; any pain he feels can be handled by Tylenol for the moment. Still using the walker and staying very close to home. He claims to be eating my soup; the only reason I believe him is because he would never be polite enough to claim otherwise. To be honest I don't think his appetite is very good but he is trying.

My mom and dad appreciate all the cards and phone calls; thanks everyone for your well wishes and prayers.

xoxoo

Anne