Mary Ann P. Flanagan

Mary Ann Flanagan, 79, died on Sunday September 4, 2022, at RWJUH Rahway while surrounded by her family. She was born April 16, 1943, in Elizabeth, NJ where she resided most of her life until relocating to Cranford in the late 1995.

Mary Ann graduated from Battin High School, Elizabeth. She was employed by Travelong Travel Agency as a travel agent, Dr. Spirito of Elizabeth as office help in his ophthalmology office, and the County of Union as an administrative assistant, the position she retired from in 2009.

Mary Ann had a special talent to recognize the best qualities in others and never dwelled on the insignificant. She supported, praised, complimented, and noticed the small details in life that others let pass by. She was a romantic at heart. We are all better for knowing her and allowing her to improve our personal perspective on life. Mary Ann was the wife, mother, sister, and aunt that others coveted. She was fiercely loyal and generous beyond all expectations to family, friends, and almost anyone in need. She made friends everywhere she went. She spoke to strangers and remembered names. Everyone confided in her. We all felt like we were the most important person in the world when we were around her, and we were. For 11 years, she was a single mother lovingly raising her two sons. Meeting and marrying Jay allowed her an even greater opportunity to share her love of family. Mary Ann leaves a wide wake of friends and family that will always love her and cherish her memory.

She was the daughter of Dominick and Edith (Grecco) Sarica. Surviving is her husband of 46 years, John (Jay) C. Flanagan. In addition to her husband, Mary Ann is also survived by her sister, Josephine (Sarica) Wacker, Forked River, NJ, brother Dominick Sarica and his wife Patricia, Lafayette, CA, son Joseph, and his wife Mary Ellen of Warren, son Scott Flanagan of Cranford, granddaughter Nikki Carpenter and her husband Josh Pellittieri of Mendham, and grandson Kevin Flanagan of Cranford. Mary Ann was the very proud Nonna to her two great granddaughters, Megan and Claire Pellittieri, and many nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be at Higgins Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, NJ on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be at St. Michaels R.C. Church, Cranford, NJ on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mary Ann may make donations to Cranford Family Care https://www.cranfordfamilycare.com/donate, or the Community Food Bank https://cfbnj.org/,