Lucy Deighan Flynn

Lucy Deighan Flynn was born April 14, 1899 in New York City. Her father, Patrick Joseph Flynn, (1866-1921) from Clara, Ireland, disappeared sometime around the time of the Spanish American War, perhaps in Mexico. Patrick's father was James Flynn (1842-1914) and his mother's name was Mary Fenning (1845-1929). Patrick had three brothers; Thomas (1868-1914), Joseph M (1877-1923), and John (1873). He also had two sisters, Katherine M. ( Petitt) (1871), and Jane (1880-1914). He immigrated to the US in 1878 according to the 1900 Census of Massachusetts.  He was working there as a traveling salesman at that time.

Lucy's mother, Agnes Forbes Simpson Stewart, (1865-1931), was born in Greenock, Scotland.   Agnes's father, James Stewart (1842-) and mother, Jane Simpson, immigrated to the US in 1868 and settled in New York City.  Their second daughter, Jane (1873-1916) and four sons: John (1876), Walter (1879-1961), Andrew (1892) and George (1884) were all born in New York City. 

Patrick, Agnes, Lucy Flynn about 1900

Agnes worked throughout her life as a buyer for several Boston and New York City department stores.  Lucy's name came from her nursemaid, Lucy Deighan, who took care of her while her mother worked full time after she divorced in 1905.  

 

                                                                        Lucy with mom, Agnes 1902

                                                                 

Lucy  about age 5 in front of Agnes with Agnes' friends

                                                   

Lucy in front with her mom, followed by her mom's friends

                                                                                 

                                                         

Lucy about 1913

                                                                       

After grade school, Lucy attended St. Mary's Academy in Perkskill, New York. She was a beautiful lady in her youth. She was very bright and had a quick wit. She was known to play a practical joke now and then. She was talented at the piano and loved to read. She also enjoyed scrabble, bridge, and other card games. She loved to work with her hands, especially crocheting. 

                                                                   

Lucy

                                                                 

                                                                 

Lucy and Alex Grabhorn

Lucy married Alexander Grabhorn, Jr. on March 4, 1918 and they settled in Orange, New Jersey. The first daughter, Agnes Lucy (Pudge), was born on January 5, 1919. Their second daughter, Madeline, born July 18, 1920, died at the early age of three. Their third daughter, Shirley, was born July 8, 1922.

Agnes Flynn, with  Lucy, Shirley, Alexander, and Pudge Grabhorn about 1930

 Asbury Park Boardwalk in New Jersey.

Lucy was well known as an independent woman who worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse beginning in the 1930's. She loved to help people, and the patients all seemed to love her as well. During the summer months, she vacationed in Maine on Bailey's Island at their summer cottage known as "The Den." She often took her children and her mother there to enjoy the ocean air and the beach.

Lucy with "Pudge" and Shirley

As her girls, Agnes and Shirley, grew and married, she loved inviting the grandchildren to Maine during vacations and holidays. She hung her favorite picture of the three girls on the wall and often told the grandchildren stories of their mothers and tales of her youth. A big part of the vacation at "The Den," was Lucy's special desserts. Her children and grandchildren tell of their favorites, such as rice pudding, tapioca pudding or rhubarb dessert. She would even make blueberry muffins for any grandchild who would take the time to pick the blueberries from the back field. She was a great cook throughout her life and loved to have family around her every holiday.

Lucy and Billy in 1950

Pat Rankin, Pudge Rankin, Lucy Grabhorn, Billy Rankin, Aunt Amy Rankin

Lucy with Bridge friends

Lucy 1972 at "The Den"  Bailey Island, Maine

Pudge Rankin, Lana Rankin, Lucy Grabhorn and baby Eva Rankin  Christmas 1974

As her grandchildren grew and married, she was delighted to have great-grandchildren visit her, although most of them had moved far from New Jersey. She wouldn't consider a flight to visit them as she was afraid of those "flying machines," as she called them. But she wasn't afraid to drive, in fact, she bought a white Rambler convertible and admitted she was going through her second childhood.

Lucy with Lana Rankin and great grandchildren Eva and Emma  1978

Lucy  with Pudge in back
Frank, Shirley, Sandy and Larry Walton in front  1970

Lucy's arthritis caused her to become bedridden the last several years of her life. She walked down the nursing home hallways in her walker for years, visiting as she walked for as long as she could. She had lived a rich full life of 84 years when she passed away on March 27, 1983. Although she had quite a painful arthritis, she didn't complain much, and kept on striving to be jolly. Her children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of what a fine, delightful, persons she was. She often signed her cards "G.G.G".. Great Grandma Grabhorn 


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Any one wanting to add corrections, stories, photos, or facts to this blogpost about Lucy, send a note to me at lana.rankin@yahoo.com and I will include your information in the next update.

Next blog post will feature Agnes Forbes Simpson Stewart (Lucy's mother)