Kathleen S. Flynn

Kathleen Sheila Flynn, aged 79, of Methuen, MA, passed away with loving family around her on August 23, 2025, at Boston Medical Center. Kathy was born on April 8, 1946, in Cambridge, MA, to Irene Montague Flynn and Daniel Joseph Flynn. Kathy was their second child and first daughter. Kathy was pre-deceased by her parents and her youngest sister, Noreen Cecilia Flynn Beck. Kathy was raised in Reading; she attended St. Agnes Grammar School, followed by Matignon High School in Cambridge. Kathy earned her undergraduate degree from Regis College and masters' degrees from Northeastern University and Fitchburg State College.

Kathy relished sharing the joys of life and learning with her family and wide circle of friends. Surviving siblings are Brian Flynn (Nancy Baker); Sharon Williams (Ernest Williams); Maryanne Flynn, and Christine Morris (Stephen Morris). Her love for her nieces and nephews and their life partners was exceedingly deep. Nieces and nephews are Matthew Flynn (Lisa Kim Flynn) and great nieces Clara and Iris; Daniel Flynn (Mika Cheng); Peter Flynn (Christine Woll); Timothy Williams (Amela Chase); Catherine Williams; Jamie Morris (Kathryn Berg); Lillian Beck (Drew Oliveira); and William Beck (Emily Hays). Kathy also was quite close with brother-in-law Michael Beck (Jeanne Murphy).

Kathy was a generous caregiver throughout her life. Kathy’s family is deeply grateful to her for the care she provided our parents, Dan and Irene, at the end of their lives and for the care she gave to our dear sister Noreen and to Noreen and Mike’s beloved children. Kathy was a daily presence for the Becks during Noreen’s final months. Kathy unselfishly provided similar care for numerous dear friends across the years.

Kathy’s deep connection to others extended to a host of strong friendships, from childhood, through college and professional years, and into retirement. Across her lifetime, Kathy was a steadfast friend. She devoted much of her free time to traveling the world with friends, enjoying organized culinary trips in Europe with focus on local foods and mushroom foraging. She also enjoyed off-season trips, such as Thanksgiving in Venice. These trips were a perfect combination of learning, eating, and fun.

Kathy achieved a great deal during both her working years and retirement. Early employment included work with homeless youth for Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Boston and with individuals with substance use disorders via Project Turnabout. For 30 years, she was an administrator and guidance professional at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School in Haverhill, working with young people as they launched their lives. During several summers, Kathy capitalized on her love of history and archaeology by volunteering with Earthwatch, excavating Anglo-Saxon burial grounds in Britain. Kathy drew on her interest in human cultures and became the founding president of the Peabody Institute of Archaeology in Andover, MA.

In 1982, Kathy visited the Immigrant City Archives in Lawrence (now known as the Lawrence History Center) to research early vocational schools. Thus began a deep relationship with the History Center, where she found tremendous intellectual satisfaction and colleagues who became like family. For nearly 50 years, Kathy advanced the center’s mission at all levels of leadership. Her innate curiosity, her deep knowledge of the collections, and her efforts to help others find answers —from international scholars to the general public—led to her title as Head Researcher. She participated in special symposiums at the Center and contributed to publications. She authored “A Sacred Space,” a history of several Lawrence cemeteries, and co-authored a chapter “Lawrence, Massachusetts and the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike...” in a 2022 publication from the University of Illinois.

Kathy was recognized for her commitment to the History Center and to the greater Lawrence community. In 2019, she received the YWCA Tribute to Women Award, honoring Merrimack Valley and North Shore women who make a difference in their work and community. In 2023, she received the History Center’s Eartha Dengler History Award, honoring the efforts and accomplishments of outstanding leaders who enrich the Lawrence community.

Kathy’s greatest passions were her extended family and many friends. She never stopped learning and sharing her love for learning, and her influence on family, students, friends, and colleagues will be lasting.

The family thanks Kathy’s many friends and the staff at Boston Medical Center for the care shown to her during her final days. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Doherty-Barile Funeral Home, Inc., in Reading. You may view the obituary and leave a message at its website: www.barilefuneral.com/Obituaries. Interment will be private. A memorial gathering to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held at a future date; all are cordially invited (see website for details).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lawrence History Center to support the scholarly research and the collections that Kathy so valued. For details, see https://lawrencehistory.org/donate. A donation in Kathy Flynn’s name to any non-profit of your choosing is also welcomed.