FLYNN, MARY LOU (nee Nelson), 96, recently of South Carolina (formerly of Arnold, Brandywine, and Mayo, Maryland), passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 9, 2024.  She was a treasure to many and she will be greatly missed.

Mary Lou was born on July 15, 1927, to Almon S. and Ruth M. Nelson in Washington, D.C.  She grew up in the Chevy Chase area of D.C. with her brother Billy and sister Velma.  During her school years, she loved playing sports such as softball, field hockey and basketball.  After graduating high school, she often helped her father by working as a secretary at his patent attorney office.

Mary Lou married Howard Malcolm ("Mac") Flynn in 1946.  In 1961, the family moved to a waterfront home in Mayo, where they raised five girls, Anne, Chris, Linda, Debbie, and Honey.   For many years, family and friends enjoyed swimming, fishing, crabbing and boating on the Chesapeake Bay.  While raising her family, she was alternately a stay-at-home mother, postal worker, and administrative secretary.

Mary Lou had a strong faith.  She made sure that her family was introduced to the love of Jesus.  She always had a spirit of joy and encouraged her girls to sing and dance.  She supported her family and friends through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She loved everybody, always had a smile, listened to everything you said, and made everyone she met feel special.

Mary Lou was a frequent volunteer through the years.  She worked with the Red Cross, Anne Arundel General Hospital, Hospice of Anne Arundel County, Mayo's Girls Softball team, and her churches.  One of her greatest passions was singing with the Arundelaire Chapter of the Sweet Adelines for several years, during which she made many friends, competed in London, and was known for her humor and pranks.

Mary Lou loved people, animals, gardening, traveling, art, music, writing, and the Washington Redskins.  She acquired many names such as Marnie, Lou-Lou, and Momma Lou. She was kind, generous, and a good friend, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.  She also became a surrogate mother to many of her younger co-workers at IITRI in Annapolis, where she worked for over 15 years.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents, her brother, William A. Nelson, and her spouse, Howard M. Flynn.  She is survived by her sister, Velma Ruth Bergstrom; five daughters, Anne Cavallero, Barbara "Chris" Wolfe (William), Linda Hebert (William), Deborah Cameron, and Honora McDermott (Thomas); five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and fourteen great-great-grandchildren.

Mary Lou's Last Celebration will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at American Legion Post 175.  The address is 832 Manhattan Beach Road, Severna Park, MD  21146.