Bernice K. Flannery

Bernice K. Flannery Longtime Resident of Flourtown, PA Bernice K. Flannery (nee Kolbe) of Flourtown died on March 25, 2016 at the age of 95. She was a longtime resident of Flourtown, PA, living on West Valley Green Road for over 70 years. She lived there as a child before the Depression and returned in 1950 with her family to live in the house her husband built until she was 90. She was a 1938 graduate with honors from Hallahan High School, Philadelphia, PA. During high school, she was involved in many activities while also working in her father’s real estate company. Following graduation, she worked as an Executive Assistant at an advertising agency. She met Edward in 1937. They married in July of 1942 and were married for 53 years prior to his death at home at the age of 74 in 1995. Like many women of the time, she held the home front while he went to war from 1942 to 1945 in the European Theater. She was devoted to her children and her parents. An inaugural parishioner of Saint Genevieve’s Church, she was a member of the choir for over 40 years as well as volunteering in many forms, such as the library every week, countless field trips with her children, and fundraising drives including the Annual Saint Genevieve’s Carnival. She was also a member of a local Choraleers choir, of which their activities included bringing comfort and joy in song to the sick and elderly during the year. In her “spare time”, she wrote poetry and was published. Mrs. Flannery was the beloved wife to the late Edward Francis Flannery and devoted mother to Eileen M. Hartnett (Michael J., dec’d) of Wilmington, DE, Rosemary A. of Bend, OR, Brian E. (Beth Ann P.) of San Diego, CA, Michael E. (Beverly S.) of Hilltown Township, PA, the late Edward Francis, Jr., Douglas J. (Elaine M.) of North Wales, PA and Denise C. of Philadelphia, PA; grandmother to Kelly E. Leifheit (Lawrence J.) of Philadelphia, PA, Steven M. (Kelly J.) of Perkasie, PA, Nicholas M. (Heidi S.) of Flourtown, PA, Erik Lindsey of Nashville, TN, Bridget A. of San Diego, CA, Kevin D. of Philadelphia, PA, Gregory B. of San Diego, CA, and Caitlin E. of North Wales, PA; and great grandmother to Breck E. and Trey M., both of Perkasie, PA. She was sister to the late Claire K. Koehler and August J. Kolbe, Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Genevieve’s Church, 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown 19031. Friends and relatives may call beginning at 9:00 a.m. Mass to be followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham. Memorials in Mrs. Flannery’s name may be made to Saint Genevieve’s Church.