Obituary of Marjorie B. Flanagan

Marjorie Bernadette Flanagan (née Day), a longtime Florham Park resident, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the company of her loving family.  She was 90.

Marjorie was born in Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland.  Her father, Jack Day, was a Dublin postman.  A kind, gentle man, Jack died when Marjorie was just eight years old, leaving his loving wife, Lydia, to raise Marjorie and Jon (her infant brother) on a very small pension. Despite real poverty, Lydia held together a home that got them through, with even some songs, whistling, birds, and bits of fun now and then. The good nuns who taught Marjorie saw her keen intelligence, and hoped she might continue her education.  But they also understood the Day family's need, so the nuns arranged a job for Marjorie (then 15) at the Irish Press.  A capable writer, Marjorie got her official press pass in 1952 and for a short time was the only woman in the Newsroom at the Press.

Marjorie met Sean T. Flanagan, her life's love, in 1955, at a meeting for the Irish Press Players.  When Sean boarded a ship for America in 1956, he promised to bring Marjorie over soon, and so he did.  Marjorie flew to New York in 1957, where she worked at the telephone company until she and Sean married in St. Anthony's Church, the Bronx, on April 12, 1958.

Marjorie and Sean settled in New Jersey, first in Morristown, then Florham Park.  After years of non-stop bustle raising a big, boisterous family, Marjorie loved sitting quietly with a cup of tea and a book.  But she loved even more the many hours she spent with Sean in the company of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She loved to hear them talk and sing and argue and laugh.  She loved attending their games, concerts, plays, and events.  She delighted in their accomplishments, and was there as needed with a word of encouragement, gentle guidance, or a comforting embrace.  In her seventies, Marjorie asked her brood to learn "The Fields of Athenry."  They did, and she joined them in what became a great tradition, belting out "The Fields" before the end of any Flanagan party or get-together, and now at every wedding. 

Marjorie worked with Sean to create and sustain a beautiful, comfortable home as a haven for conversation, music, laughter, and cherished memories.  

In all this Marjorie was devoted – deeply, wonderfully devoted – to Sean, her loving husband, and to the Blessed Mother and her Catholic faith.  In Marjorie's last moments, Sean prayed for her the Hail Mary in Irish, the language they had learned as small children and shared, just the two of them, over their decades together in their American home, each as the other's best friend.

Marjorie's beloved brother, Jon Day, predeceased her.  

Marjorie is survived by Sean, her precious spouse of sixty-six years; and by her beloved children, Deirdre McAuliffe (Brian), Sheila Dwyer (Tom), Brian Flanagan (Christine), Kevin Flanagan (Kristen), Sean Flanagan (Sally), Kieran Flanagan (Mary Beth); and grandchildren, Conor (Jess), Brendan T. (Kate), Kathleen (Michael), Moira (Kevin), Patrick (Katie); Thomas S., Matthew, Kevin, Maire, James; Joseph, Clare, Rose (Garrett), Thomas X., Fiona, Anne, Ronan; Kyle (Rebecca), Brendan, Liam, Katie, Jack, Nolan; Peter, Mick, George; Kieran, Shane, Emily, Colin; and great-grandchildren, Ben, Laney, Ravenna, Gabriel, Nolan, Molly; and one expected great-grandchild; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Marjorie's absence will be deeply felt.  Her family prays that her legacy of love and faith may live on in their hearts and continue to guide and inspire them for generations to come.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marjorie will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 1 Lloyd Ave., Florham Park.

Interment will follow at St. Teresa’s Cemetery, Summit.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable contributions in Marjorie’s memory to Good Counsel Homes, 600 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 251, Secaucus, NJ 07094.