Midge Flinn Yost

Midge Flinn Yost, who brightened the lives of so many, died on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 due to an untreatable brain tumor. She leaves behind a large family, and social circles consisting of close friends from high school, college, summers on Howard Pond, neighbors in Harpers Ferry WV and Crozet VA, work colleagues, and those she encountered during her career as a creative director and producer of films, videos, and shows.

Marjorie Louise Flinn was born October 16, 1964 and grew up in Huntington NY. She was named for her mother, Marjorie Louise Whelan, and fittingly had her mom’s blue eyes – her five older siblings, F. X. (Linda Labriola), Betty (Emil Groth), Joe (Amy), Carol (Bernie Dunne) and Anne all had the dark brown eyes of their father, Harry J. Flinn, Jr., who died of natural causes when Midge was 3. When Midge was 8, her mother married John A. Hanawalt – a widower and father of five.

Midge was now the youngest of 11 siblings as Hanawalt kids Pam (Ed O’Brien), Diane (Charlie Jacobs), Heidi (Robert Winkler), Moira (Dan Soulia), and Bob (Kristen Rasmussen) filled out the blended family. For the rest of her childhood, summers were spent at John’s camp on Howard Pond in Hanover, ME.

In this huge new family, Midge was everyone’s delight, and to this day the older siblings mimic young Midge’s own hysterical mimicry-with-a-wink of TV ads and the like. The positive feedback loop cemented a happy, engaging, creative personality that endured even during her last, most difficult, year.

In addition to being survived by the 10 “HanaFlinns” as they came to be called, Midge also leaves behind 15 nieces and nephews, 10 grandnieces and grandnephews, 16 maternal and 5 paternal first cousins, and two nonagenarian uncles, Jim Whelan and Don Flinn, Sr. She is also survived by her estranged husband, Craig L. Yost, Jr., who she married in 1999.

A 1987 graduate of Catholic University of America, Midge spent one year touring the United States with CUA’s National Players company. In May 2024, the CUA alumni magazine published a feature article on the “Girls Night Out” group of friends that has met monthly after graduation and has formed deep bonds of friendship. Midge’s family cannot begin to thank that group for all the help, comfort, friendship, and love they provided during the past 12 months.

Midge had a long career in photography and video production. In 2012, she received an Emmy award for the film The War of 1812 on the Chesapeake: Home of the Brave for Maryland Public Television, which she produced with long-time friend Drew Perkins. Her documentary Storer College: A Legacy of Light and Learning, about the HBCU established in Harpers Ferry, WV, shortly after the Civil War, has been widely screened.

As O’Keefe Communications’ Creative Director and Executive Producer, Midge used her experience as filmmaker, producer, director, actor, and stage manager to oversee development of theatrical productions for large corporate, non-profit, and trade association gatherings. She managed demanding shows all over the US, and was beloved by all of her clients and coworkers. She was instrumental in finding creative ways to host large-scale, on-line virtual events during the pandemic, techniques still in use today.

Always an avid birder, in recent years, she began to document the peregrine falcons on Maryland Heights opposite Harpers Ferry from the vantage of her spectacularly-located home down the block from the National Park Service HQ. The Washington Post featured one of her peregrine nest photos on its July 2, 2023 front page, and her short film Peregrine Falcons of Harpers Ferry was completed during the winter of 2024.

Harpers Ferry was dear to Midge’s heart, and she engaged with the community in a variety of ways, notably serving on Town Council and establishing an annual film festival. She was dedicated to preserving Harper’s Ferry historic places, grand vistas, and small-town friendliness. Local friends and neighbors provided her family with important help during her disability, showing a level of friendship and care that speaks volumes about the town and Midge’s place in it.

Throughout her life, Midge cherished her relationships with family and friends, including her longtime companion Carl W. Stohl III, who survives her. Together they traveled to Maine for family visits and enjoyed the history of Harpers Ferry together where they spent countless hours exploring the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers looking for archeological treasures.

Midge relocated to Crozet in July to stay in Betty and Emil’s home for the care and comfort she needed during her illness. In Crozet, Midge found joy in simple yet meaningful activities such as walking in Crozet Park, watching birds at the feeder, and marveling at the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She especially enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors, sharing conversations and laughter on the front porch that became a cherished gathering space. Her creative spirit flourished through jigsaw puzzles, and arts and crafts, which brought her moments of tranquility and fulfillment. Crozet offered Midge a supportive community and serene environment that complemented her life’s passions and brought her peace.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Piedmont who provided professional and compassionate care to Midge over the past six months.

Midge was a member of St. James the Greater parish in Charles Town, WV until her illness, when she was welcomed with open arms at Our Lady of the Rosary, where a Funeral Mass will take place on Friday June 6th at 10 AM, followed by a repast at King Family Vineyards from 12 PM to 3 PM. Midge will be privately inurned at the Columbarium at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in Charlottesville, VA on June 7th in the presence of immediate family.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Harpers Ferry Park Association or the charity of your choice is encouraged.

Arrangements by Teague Funeral Home in Charlottesville, where there will be a visitation on Thursday, June 5th 6 PM to 8 PM.

Locations

Wake: 2260 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Funeral: 1214 Crozet Ave, Crozet, VA 22932

Repast: 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932