Mary Elizabeth Flynn

Mary Beth Flynn, of South Dennis, MA, died peacefully on March 15, 2025, at the age of 78, after a struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was the daughter of William T. and Isabelle J. Flynn, and grew up in North Easton, MA. She is the beloved sister of Jean Gregory (John) of Ardsley, NY, Judith Flynn of South Dennis, MA, and Nancy Connell (Thomas) of Old Lyme, CT.

She was an avid reader with an interest in art, history, architecture and travel. She graduated from Oliver Ames High School, where she was active in sports, student government and Future Teachers of America. While attending Stonehill College, whenever she had free time, she would do research, and kept a file of index cards for a future trip. Upon graduation, she set off on a 14-month solo backpack trip throughout the British Isles, Scandinavia, and Eastern and Western Europe, including a summer course at Cambridge University. Returning home to Boston, she worked for a number of years in Child Welfare, while completing courses for teacher certification. She ultimately received a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Then, for 40 years, Mary Beth lived and worked in Italy. For several years she taught in Calabria, in southern Italy, but then got a position teaching at the University of Rome in the Engineering and Business faculties. She also taught at the Luiss, a private university, in the political science faculty. She was very involved in her professional affiliations, and eventually became the president of TESOL ITALY. She traveled the world making presentations at seminars and conferences. She enjoyed many professional and cherished personal friendships in Italy and loved her life there. Each summer she would return to Cape Cod, and that was a time to be with family.

She will be missed by her adored nieces, Laura and Kate, and nephew Jack. Each of them had an opportunity to visit and spend time with her in Italy, which was an experience they treasured. She will also be missed by a loving extended family.

In her final year she was expertly and lovingly cared for by the outstanding staff of Harbor Point at Centerville and Beacon Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church, 468 Stony Brook Rd., Brewster.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to One Company Fund, c/o Harbor Point at Centerville, 22 Richardson Road, Centerville, MA 02632. This fund provides tax-free grants, which do not need to be repaid, to support-level staff, in times of financial hardship.