Dorothy Marie Flannery (née Johnson), 97, of LaGrange Park passed away peacefully Dec. 13, 2024.
She was born in 1927 in Chicago to Frank and Theresa (Daisy) Johnson.
A graduate of St. Constance High School in Chicago, Dorothy’s journey with Ed began when they met when she was just 16. Over the next 62 years, Dorothy and Ed raised their family in Park Ridge. She was an active member of Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish, where she volunteered on many committees and served as president of the Council of Catholic Women. Ed and Dorothy also shared a love of travel, exploring places like Japan, Russia, Canada and Europe.
Dorothy was a woman of many talents and interests, one of her greatest being her love for gardening. As a Master Gardener, she spent countless hours creating and maintaining beautiful gardens, including her own landscaping business in Park Ridge.
Dorothy’s work extended to the gardens of the Park Ridge Historic House and the Vial House in Indian Head Park. One of her proudest accomplishments was designing the Mary Garden at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church ,.
Dorothy also had a competitive streak. She was an avid golfer and bowler, continuing to enjoy both activities well into her 90s. Known for her sharp skills, she was just as admired for her kindness and sportsmanship as for her ability to excel in these sports. Dorothy also had a fun-loving passion for slot machines, and she would often share stories of her wins and losses with a sparkle in her eye.
In addition, Dorothy was a gifted artist. She painted watercolor scenes and lighted bottles, and, more recently, created mixed-media butterflies on canvas. In her later years, she began raising Monarch butterflies and created a butterfly garden at Bethlehem Woods. Her artistic legacy will live on through the lives she touched and the beautiful pieces she left behind.
She is survived by her six children, Dr. Ann (Peter Kobe), Kathleen (Richard) Brummet, Michael (Lori) of Hinsdale, Maureen (Mark) Blaber, Jim (Lyn) and Julie (Dave) Beck; her grandchildren, Kelly (Doug), Ryan (Kelly), Caroline (Andrew), Kate, Rob (Brittany), Jack (Jane), Christopher, Brendan, Kim, Erin, Will, Drew, Matt, Dan, Mick, Mary and Eddie; her great-grandchildren, Owen, Luke, Jackson, Carly, Faye, Ellie and Shane; and her brothers, Jim (Carol) Johnson and Larry (the late Diana) Johnson.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her sister, Eileen Kozlowski; and her siblings-in-law, John and Catherine Flannery and Eileen and Richard Helfenbein.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison St., Willowbrook.
A celebration of life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, in the gathering space at Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish, 920 Granville Ave, Park Ridge. A funeral Mass will be said 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to http://www.monarchjointventure.org/donate.
