Helen Alice Flannery

Born on September 27, 1924, in Shenandoah, PA, she was the daughter of Dr. Harry Hobbs and Helen Hobbs (Reilly). She graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, now part of Drexel University, in Philadelphia.

She began her practice in her home in Shenandoah and later shared office space with her brother, Dr. Joseph Hobbs, in Pottsville. Later, Helen became administrator of York Terrace Nursing Home in Pottsville, where she and her husband were part-owners.

In 1949 Helen married Bart Flannery and shared 43 happy years of marriage until Bart’s passing in 1992. Helen and Bart were avid golfers, members of both Fountain Springs and Schuylkill Country Clubs in PA and later as members of Kelly Greens Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, FL where Helen continued to enjoy her winters until making Fort Myers her full-time home in 2018.

Helen was a loving and involved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She especially enjoyed being a devoted fan of the many sports teams on which her grandchildren played over the years, from T-ball games up to college football. She traveled to all her grandsons’ college football games, where she thoroughly enjoyed watching them play, meeting new friends, and, of course, tailgating.

She made many lasting friendships throughout her life, both in PA and in Florida. Helen enjoyed a good game of Bridge, a round of golf, and, most of all, spending time socializing with friends and family.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Bart Flannery, her son, Barry Flannery, her brother, Dr. Joseph Hobbs, and her sister, Mary Alys Gill.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Maureen Tracy of Longmont, CO and Joanne Pilconis of Fort Myers, FL, her grandchildren Brendan Tracy, Ryan Pilconis, Steven Pilconis, and Lauren Pilconis, her great-grandchildren Owen Tracy, Poppy Pilconis and Harry Pilconis, and nieces and nephews.

A service for Helen will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery Chapel in Pottsville, PA on October 17 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s name can be made to Hope Hospice of Fort Myers, FL or to the charity of your choice.