October 25, 1929 - April 21, 2024
Bradenton, Florida - With deep admiration and regret the Flanagan family announces the passing of our beloved matriarch Dolores "Dee" Flanagan. Known as "Tum" and "Tumma" to her grandchildren, she left this world to be with her heavenly father on April 21, 2024. Dee was 94 years old. Dee was born in Ashland, New Hampshire, the daughter of Clifford Edward Gingras and Gertrude Gingras (Sullivan). Dee was predeceased by her father, Clifford; mother, Gertrude; siblings Rita, Jane, and "Busty," husband, Paul; and son, Cliff. Dee is survived by her children: Paul Flanagan (Susan), James Flanagan, Robert Flanagan, Dolores Flanagan, Mark G. Flanagan (Donna), Kevin P. Flanagan, and grandchildren Isaac Flanagan, Brendan Flanagan (Johnna), Shane Flanagan (Catherine), Meghan Wenner (Matt), Mark Flanagan, Kevin Flanagan, Sam Flanagan, Alexis Flanagan, Tommy Flanagan, Matthew Flanagan, Avie Hamilton (Tyler) and great grandchildren Stella Hamilton, Ned Hamilton, Anne Wenner, and Penny Flanagan and many treasured nieces and nephews.
Dee's life was marked by adventure, curiosity, and service. Dee raised her family in Medfield, MA, Bradenton, FL and San Francisco, CA before retiring to her beloved Bradenton to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Dee earned her nursing degree in 1950 from Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing in Brighton, MA. Dee began her nursing career at the Mass General Hospital during the height of the polio epidemic, and subsequently spent years as a nurse in academic settings including the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (Boston, MA) and the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, as well as community hospitals including Manatee Memorial Hospital and Kaiser San Francisco Medical Center.
While nursing was her vocation, Dee's avocation was sharing generosity and wonder with the world. Dee volunteered with Manatee County Head Start and the Manatee County Health Department and served on the Diocese of Venice Council of Catholic Women. Dee was a docent at Mote Marine Laboratories for over 20 years, passing along the knowledge and love of the aquatic universe to visitors and an entire generation of schoolkids. For years, she worked during flu season giving vaccinations to thousands. Dee was also active in the Sarasota County Shell Club, Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent De Paul, Manatee County Knitters and Crocheters Guild, Senior Friends, and other charities within her community. In San Francisco, Dee volunteered at St Anthony's Soup Kitchen and was instrumental in the launch of Kaiser's Saturday Surgery Program, to provide life-changing treatment free of charge to the indigent.
Dee's ever-enduring love to serve others remains inspiring and will not be forgotten. Always an explorer and adventure traveler, Dee experienced the cultures and natural wonders of nearly twenty countries on four continents. She was a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, extraordinary minister, lector, patriot, advisor, mentor, and friend.
She had a passion for baseball and was a lifelong Boston Red Sox and an avid San Francisco Giants fan. Whether it was long shifts working the concession stand while her kids and grandkids played Little League or earning multiple Croix de Candlestick by sitting through extra innings night games in the frigid conditions of Candlestick Park - Dee lived for life's most satisfying and ethereal experiences, especially ones she could share with friends and family. She was truly a lover of life and adventure.
Throughout her life, Dee was a faithful servant of Christ. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at her home parish Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Church in Bradenton on July 8, 2024 at 9:30 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, please make all in-kind donations to Mote Marine laboratories. https://mote.org/support/donate
