Obituary of Mary Doris Flynn

One of the four Gallagher Girls of Orange New Jersey, Mary Doris Flynn of Lawrenceville, NJ passed away on Monday December 11, 2023. She died at home of natural causes. Born in Orange NJ, to James J. and Mary V. Gallagher, Doris was 96 years old. Known as Doris, Mommy, Nana, Nana Choo-Choo, Auntie Love and Lovey to her beloved family and friends, Doris passed peacefully and in a state of grace surrounded by her loving family. She was the mother of Daniel, Steve, Patricia, and Glenn, stepmother to Mary Ellen, and mother-in-law to Glenn’s wife Bonnie and Patricia’s husband Michael, who all loved her dearly and surrounded her with that love to the end. Bonnie and Glenn were there all the time and Bonnie gave Doris loving care as if she was her mom. Doris’s grandchildren, Meaghan and her husband Keith, Connor, Chianna, Kelli and Liam, Kim & Kristen, Eli and his wife Larisa, Joshua and his wife Laura, and great grandchildren, Ryan, Viva and Wolf, Luna and Leo, and Caitlin and Jennifer, all loved her dearly and comforted her with kindness, good humor and compassion. She loved her four children, her stepdaughter, her daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very close to all her many nieces and nephews; they were as if they were her own. Her latest joy came from her great-grandchild, Ryan. Doris’s smile could light up a room when she saw him. Doris was very close to her three sisters, Janice, Joan, and Peggy (“the Gallagher Girls”) as well as with her dear cousin Lois. For a long period of time Doris, Lois, Joan, and Janice lived on the same floor in their senior apartment building, just “slipper distance” from each other. She loved her dear brothers-in-law Pat Dolan, John Burke, and Joey Hines. Pat Dolan was especially supportive to Doris when she was faced with raising 4 children on her own. For much of her life, Doris was a single mom of four kids. She worked for Bell Telephone in Orange, NJ as well as multiple other jobs, often more than one at a time, to pay the bills and keep food on the table. She was a hat check girl, took in ironing, sold Avon,and delivered those giant telephone books out of the back of her VW Bug. A devout Christian and member of St. Ann’s church in Lawrenceville NJ, Doris had strong faith in her religion and prayed for everyone in her life, even those who were not kind or compassionate to her. She never had a negative word to say about anyone! Predeceased by her ex-husband, Dan Collins, to which they had four children and her husband Tom Flynn. Although she struggled with bi-polar disorder much of her adult life, Doris was nonetheless an engaged and present person with a huge heart & a sharp wit. She was an understated person full of love, kindness, patience, and an incredible sense of humor. Often the life of the party, and often very sassy, Doris could always get everyone laughing and feeling good. When she was at her best, she would often be found holding court with whoever happened to be around. Doris had many wonderful qualities and talents, amongst them being known far and wide for her amazing rice pudding – a recipe that has been passed around to so many of her family & enjoyed by so many more. She loved her lipstick, Hallmark movies and her sweet treats. Doris was also a great dancer in her day, an amazing speller and reader, and a teacher of tolerance and kindness. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Doris’ long-term full-time caretaker of 6 years, Janice Vessel who cared for her deeply and treated her with tender care and compassion, always calling her “Miss Doris”. Janice and Doris became true friends. We’d also like to thank her other caretakers, Yvette, Nordia, & Doreen for their help in caring for Doris. The family is also grateful for all the people at Hospice of Penn Medical Center in Plainsboro. They made the last days of her journey as comfortable & dignified as possible. We will all miss our beloved Doris, Mommy, Nana, Lovey deeply. Viewing: Will be on Friday December 15 at 10:30 am -12:30, at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 1 PM at the Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648 At approximately 2pm, immediately following Mass, there will be a Celebration of Life Reception at a venue to be determined. Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hanover, NJ on Saturday, December 16. www.ivyonmain.com/collections/sympathy Please post any condolences, pictures, memories, etc. and enjoy a celebration in words and photos of Doris’ life on: https://www.forevermissed.com/mary-d-flynn/gallery/photos You may add your photos to the Gallery section or your words to the Tribute section. If you would care to make a donation in Doris’s memory, please give to: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, 383 W State St, Trenton NJ 08618 or Penn Med Hospice, 105 College Rd, Princeton NJ 08540