STOCKTON SPRINGS
On Sept. 11, 2018, Patricia Ann (Hutchins) Flannery passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the age of 82 in a Belfast nursing facility after a valiant battle with congestive heart failure. Patricia was born May 4, 1936, in Castine. She was the daughter of Dorothy Hutchins and adopted daughter of Pearl S. Hutchins.
Patricia attended Penobscot Grammar School, where in the sixth grade she met the love of her life and future husband, Kenneth S. Flannery. They were married Nov. 19, 1955, and enjoyed 63 wonderful years together. Pat went on to attend George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill and graduated as secretary of her class in 1955. Pat was always a hard worker and held several jobs in the local area during her life. She worked for many years in the food service program in the Searsport schools and frequently commented that she greatly enjoyed and missed the camaraderie she shared with her fellow workers and being able to interact with the school kids every day.
She took great pride in her home and although she participated in many activities during her lifetime Pat most cherished her role as a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She set a great example for her children and grandchildren as to what a mother should be. This was never more evident than when, nearing the end and perhaps sensing that her time was getting short, she called for her four sons to come to her bedside, so she could see them all together one last time.
Pat enjoyed watching her children play in sporting events and later in life liked traveling to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox in person; she did her best to never miss a Sox game on the television. She was never more content than when she could settle down for a game in the evening with her husband at her side and one of her beloved cocker spaniels, Dusty or Blackie, snuggled in her lap. Patricia and Kenneth took pleasure in many activities during their time together. A few examples of some of the pursuits they enjoyed include motorcycling trips in the United States and Canada, snowmobiling in Maine, dancing almost every Saturday night in one of the local dance halls, and going on bus trips with family and friends to Branson, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn.
Patricia is survived by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth S. Flannery, of Stockton Springs; her four sons: Kenneth P. Flannery of Searsport and his wife, Sunny; Michael Flannery of Belfast and his wife, Carol; Steven Flannery of Northport and his wife, Terri; Bradley S. Flannery of Hampden and his wife, Wendy. Pat is also survived by several cousins, 13 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren, whom Pat loved very much. She also will be greatly missed by sisters-in-law, Helen Varnum of Penobscot, Donna Flannery of Ellsworth, Margot Flannery of Penobscot, Betty Tweedie of Bucksport and her husband, Brian; Hildred Emerton of Blue Hill and her husband, Linwood; brother-in-law Edward Flannery of Orland; special second-cousin Sylvia Tapley, and Sylvia’s father, Robert Tapley of Penobscot. She was predeceased by her mother, Dorothy Hutchins; grandfather, Pearl Hutchins; daughter, Joanne Trefethen; a very special uncle, Oakley Hutchins; and her cousin, Marilyn Tapley, whose relationship with Pat was so close that she always thought of Marilyn as a sister rather than a cousin.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside service that will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Hillside Cemetery in North Penobscot. The service will be immediately followed by a celebration of Patricia’s life at the Orland Community Center at 21 Schoolhouse Road in Orland. In consideration of Pat’s great love for animals, family and friends are encouraged to donate in her memory to a local animal shelter of their choice. Arrangements are under the care of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services Bucksport. (mitchelltweedie-young.com)