Margaret "Marge" Flynn

ALBANY - Margaret Mary Flynn, 84, died Sunday, November 26, 2023 after a brief illness. Born in Albany, the daughter of the late Charles and Edna Mahar, Marge was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names and The College of Saint Rose.

Midway through her college studies, she took a semester off to gain work experience at McManus & Reilly Men’s Store. One night during that time, she went on a date expecting to meet a co-worker. Instead, he sent his brother, Patrick Flynn, and the rest is history. The following year, she and Pat were married, enjoying 62 years together and raising three daughters, while always maintaining an open door for them, their friends, and other family.

Marge returned to Saint Rose once all her children were in elementary school, completing her art education degree in 1975. She worked in several area schools and the 1980 US Census before joining Albany County Social Services,1981-1994, where her positions included employment training and children’s services. She thrived in her work and took on leadership roles in her local union. She found union work particularly rewarding professionally and personally, as it drew on her political savvy, collaboration, and negotiation skills. Between 1989 and 1994 when she retired, Marge was a CSEA unit president, first vice president of the Albany County CSEA, Albany County CSEA board of directors member, and CSEA delegate. She engaged in union advocacy in New York and also traveled to Washington, DC.

Known to all for her quick wit and an amazing depth of knowledge spanning, among other topics, history, sports and politics, Marge was a voracious reader across many genres. She was an excellent listener and often received calls from family and friends asking for her thoughts and advice on challenges both big and small. Marge was also the first person with whom her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews wanted to share new accomplishments.

Marge would be the first to tell you that she lived a charmed life. But it was her own charm that left a lasting impression. Her husband, Pat, remembers that his co-workers would always ask, “Is Marge going to be there?” when a work function was coming up. Her charisma extended to her hospitality; she loved to throw parties and have people over. She was no stranger to adventure either, hiking, canoeing, and camping with family and friends.

In her retirement, Marge served on the board of the Institute for Learning Centered Education, a group devoted to constructivist educational approaches, and she staffed many of its conferences. She and Pat also enjoyed extended weekends at their cottage in the Adirondacks. She relished river cruises, train travel and long road trips to celebrate milestones large and small, from school concerts and sports events to weddings and graduations.

Marge is survived by her devoted husband, Patrick; her daughters, Colleen Thapalia (Pawan), Kerry Flynn (Ellen Browne), and Tara Flynn (Bradley Christmas); grandchildren, Tess (Ethan), Kieran (Rachel), Charles, Eleanor, and Cora; and her brother, Michael Mahar (Yvonne) and sister-in-law Marjorie Lippincott (Hugh). She also has many nieces and nephews, and extended family members. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph, as well as her in-laws, Margaret and John Flynn, and her brother-in-law, Jack Flynn (the trickster who set her up with Pat) and his wife, Ellen.

Those wishing to celebrate Marge’s life may join the family at a wake on Friday, Dec 1, 2023, from 5 to 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held the following day, Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11 am. Both will be at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate), which Marge supported regularly.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .