Susan Flannery

A life and heart filled with love

Our beautiful mother, Susan Krugman Flannery, passed away on November 10, at the age of 81. Susan’s life was a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and the importance of family. Susan grew up in Brooklyn with her parents, Mary and Ben, her sister Pam, and her brother David, whom they affectionately call “Brother.” Her journey of love began when she met Richard “Dick” Flannery while working in Rockefeller Center. Their serendipitous encounters in the cafeteria blossomed into a beautiful romance, leading to their marriage in 1966.

Susan and Dick’s union was blessed with three deeply loved children: Lynn, Caryn, and Matthew. In 1973, the family moved to Twin Rivers, NJ, where Susan lived what she often described as her dream life. Though devastated by Dick’s passing in 1991, Susan’s resilience and love for her family helped her navigate through the grief. Susan’s greatest passion was undoubtedly her family. She also cherished time spent at the beach, enjoyed playing tennis and games, and loved music and dancing. However, what truly set Susan apart was her warmth and affection.

Susan had a gift for making friends wherever she went. Her warmth and genuine interest in others made people feel at ease, especially those who might have felt out of place. Her ability to accept people for who they are was both a natural part of who she was and something shaped by her own experience in an interfaith marriage in the 1960s. Something that was challenging at first but eventually became a beautiful example of love breaking down barriers. Susan raised her children with values that emphasized checking their biases, loving and making room for everyone, and embracing diversity.

She loved her role as a mother, found fulfillment in her work with the East Windsor School District, and perhaps most of all, cherished being a grandmother to Ben, Cassidy, and Leah who will forever treasure her warm hugs, her unwavering love, the Mentos she always had on hand, the sleepovers filled with laughter, and the countless trips to the beach where they created lasting memories together.

When asked about Susan’s parting words of wisdom, her daughter Lynn simply stated, “Just Love”, while Caryn suggested, “Sit in the sun with the ones you love,” and Matthew thinks “Move” captures much of her spirit!

Susan will be deeply missed by her children, Lynn, Caryn (Paul), and Matthew (Mandy and her son Antonio). She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Ben, Cassidy, and Leah; her brother David (Cynthia), her sister Pam (Nat), and sisters-in-law, Meg (Charles) and Anne and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

While we are devastated by her loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her beloved Dick and dancing with her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of Susan’s annual tradition of writing $5 checks to every good cause that crossed her path in the desire to help wherever she could, even in small ways, the family suggests making a small donation to a charity of your choice.