Helen Marie Flynn

Helen Marie Flynn (née Konowalski) lived a life marked by a strength that was quiet, a faith that was profound, and a joyful devotion to her family and community. The daughter of Ladislaus Konowalski, a dentist, and Helen (née Osinski), a nurse, Helen and her two younger brothers, Henry and Robert, were raised in a close-knit Polish-American family in Williamsville, N.Y. With her kind nature and intelligence, she was popular and excelled in school. Helen earned her nursing degree from Niagara University (‘61), where she met her husband, Francis James Flynn, a classmate in a Shakespeare course.

They were married 50 years, until his death in 2012. Their bond was a model of love, companionship, and mutual admiration. Together, they raised six children in a home full of laughter, books, and music. Devoted to her Catholic faith, Helen played an active role in church life through liturgy committees, choirs, Bible study groups, and served on the Pastoral Council to the Archdiocese of New York. A lifelong caregiver, she paused her nursing career to raise children, later returning to serve in psychiatric and methadone clinics.

Helen taught her children how to bake, crochet, read carefully, and persuade respectfully. She taught them the importance of good manners, kind words, and hugs. Helen taught her grandchildren the fun of tea parties, replete with nice outfits, butterfly pins, fancy hats, and lively conversation.

Helen conducted her life with grace, gentle humor, and generosity. She found joy in the everyday and gave her full attention to those around her. Always well put together, she cultivated lasting friendships and made all feel welcome in her home.

Helen is survived by her brother Robert Konowalski (Rose, deceased) and sister-in-law Doris Konowalski (Henry, deceased), children Paul (Gina) Flynn, Ann Amelia Flynn, Stephen Flynn, Elaine (Matthew) Nowak, Alissa (Jonathan) Morel, and Andrew (Althea) Flynn, she will be missed by her ten granddaughters and one grandson, nieces and nephew, and countless others whose lives she touched with quiet compassion and unwavering devotion.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2nd, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a rosary at 5:00 PM at Forest Park South Funeral Home, 12650 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland, Texas. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 3rd at St. Helen’s Church, 2209 Old Alvin Road, Pearland, Texas.

A committal service will be held at Ascension Cemetery, 650 Saddle River Road, Airmont, New York, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Saint Dominic Village, Houston Texas where Helen Flynn lived her final years.

https://www.stdominicvillage.org/donate/