Loretta E. Flannery

Loretta E. Flannery (nee Burke), 89, a loving wife, mother of 12, grandmother of 18 and great-grandmother of 6, died on February 7, 2015, in the comfort of her West Palm Beach, FL, home. Loretta was born in the Bronx, NY, on April 23, 1925; where she attended St. Angela Merici Grammar School and met her best friend an dfuture husband of 60 years, Jack.

Before starting her family, Loretta worked as a secretary for both law and real estate firms in NYC. She could type 90 wpm and created her own shorthand. In 1949, Loretta married Jack an deventually move to Upper Montclair, NJ, where they raised their children and became very active in the community and St. Cassian’s Church.

A very energetic, giving and stylish lady, Loretta managed her large household while still finding the time to attend and support her husband’s many business related functions and activities. In 1988, Loretta was recognized at the Plaza Hotel in NYC for her efforts in the Israel Bond Program. She loved dancing with her husband and entertaining with friends and family in their home, often hosting large parties for upwards of 300 people.

Loretta had a way of making everyone feel welcome, both in her home and at “the club”, where she was known for taking new members “under her wing”. She was an avid and competitive golfer, bowler (Flanner’s Fanatics), tennis and card player. She would often arise at 5am to get a round of tennis in before her children would awake.

In 1990, Loretta and her husband retired to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where they became active parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church and founding members of the BallenIsles Country Club. On February 12, 2010, shortly after celebrating 60 years of marriage, Loretta’s soul mate passed away. She is now reunited with him in heaven.

Loretta is survived by her children, Michael, Jack, Eileen, Mary, Loretta, Fr. Patrick, Mark, Stephen, Rita, Maureen, Matthew and Andrew; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister Mary McGovern; brother Hugh Burke and sister-in-law, Joan; Daniel and Lillian Flannery and many extend family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday February 12, 2015 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 754 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408. A Mass of the Ressurection will be held on Friday February 13, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 13591 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vitas Hospice in West Palm Beach, FL.