Obituary of Catherine Stella Flynn

CATHERINE STELLA  FLYNN

Catherine S. Flynn Age 92, November 29, 2021. Catherine was born in Detroit, Michigan on  August 18, 1929. She was the eldest of eight children of Lester F. Flynn and Rose Connolly Flynn.

 Catherine grew up on the east side of Detroit on Norval St. in the parish of St. Catherine where she attended through high school. After graduation, she opted to go to work over attending Marygrove College presumably to help with the family finances. She rose from a job answering phones to opening up her own bookkeeping business at the age of 21 in the Penobscot Building in Detroit.

Catherine eventually did go to college and graduated with an Associate Degree in Accounting. After many years of keeping books for bars, restaurants, beauty school etc., she went to work as a Treasurer at Doorman Manufacturing in Royal Oak. During that time, she negotiated contracts with NASA for installing doors on rockets at Cape Kennedy. In fact, she was the first woman to ever be cleared for NASA. During her business career, she touched many lives.

She volunteered as a mentor with SCORE, an association helping women in business and was honored with a Life Achievement award.

She went on to open another door business, developed and marketed her own version of a medical record history booklet to the public and finally worked as a manager for a Weir Manual real estate office. After she retired, she still did taxes for family and friends.

  Although Catherine was a successful business woman, she always made time for family and friends. She helped all of her siblings at one time or another through life’s tribulations and was a mentor to her many nieces and nephews. 

Catherine will be remembered for throwing St. Patrick Day parties and hosting celebrations at expensive restaurants.

Her Irish heritage was a big part of her identity and life. She always made “time for a little fun in each day”. Her advice and quotes will live on in the memories of all who loved her.

She is survived by her brother Lester Flynn (Penny) and preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Eileen Blessing, Rose Marie, Rev. Thomas, Patrick, Terrance and Maureen (Lawrence) Henze. Aunt of Theresa Gebara (Souheil), William Blessing ( Alison), Kathleen Blessing, Thomas Blessing, Anne Marie Morgan Henze, Sheila (Rick) Marone, and Aurore Michanne Henze (Pier Mossani). Great Aunt to many grand nieces and nephews.

 Memorial Mass will be on April 2, 2022 Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joan of Arc, 21620 Greater Mack at Overlake, St. Clair Shores. Private burial  to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Michigan Humane Society.