Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Lynn Flavin

April 12, 1946 - March 22, 2015
Lawton, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, March 28, 2015
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Food and refreshments will be served and a time of sharing will be at 3:30 pm.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With the end of WWII in 1945, America was making the transition to being a nation at peace once again. Rationing had become a thing of the past while manufacturing was no longer needed to support the war effort. With families welcoming home their servicemen and women there was great celebration, which gave way to the baby boom that lasted several years. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1946 that was filled with great anticipation for Robert and Marguerite (Brophy) Schram as they eagerly awaited the birth of their second child. The big day finally arrived on April twelfth when the baby girl they named Lynn Ann arrived on a spring day in Chicago, Illinois. Fondly known as “Moose”, Lynn was one of five children and was raised in the family home in Oak Lawn alongside her siblings, Daniel, Bruce, Donna, and Denise.

Surely it is no surprise that Lynn was a bustle of activity while growing up just as she was as an adult. As a young adult Lynn traveled extensively. Managing road trips to various destinations, including California, Reno, Vegas, Colorado, Arizona, and Florida, on a minimal budget posed as a delightful challenge to Lynn and close friends, Janet and Norma.

In 1980 Lynn, a young widow, met the man who would change the course of her life forever. Tom Flavin, roommate at the time to Lynn’s brother Bruce, was a great friend to Lynn and her young daughter, Shannon after the unexpected passing of Lynn’s first husband, James O’Shea. Tom and Lynn’s friendship evolved, and after falling in love they were married on a record-hot June day in Oak Lawn. Lynn and Tom, together with Shannon built their first home in Tinley Park, and later welcomed two children Amy and Katelynn into their hearts. Lynn fondly referred to her children as “the girls”, and took great pride in sharing their many accomplishments with anyone who would listen.

In the summer of 1995, Tom and Lynn made the big decision to leave Illinois to transform their summer cottage into their dream home. Lynn had a deep sense of pride for the home they built and shared with family and friends. She loved to entertain and over her lifetime organized many gatherings and parties for family and friends. Annually in the first week of August, Tom and Lynn would host “The Girls’ Party” in celebration of their children’s August, September, and October birthdays. A highlight of the party was always the homemade blueberry buttermilk pancakes Lynn served for Sunday morning breakfast. Lynn created a welcoming home, not only for her family but also for all her children’s friends as her door was always open.

In 2008, Tom and Lynn celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Their children treated them to a trip to Las Vegas. Joined by their best friends, Paul (Weiner) and Pat Walter it was a trip of a lifetime. Although no one won any mega jackpots, the memories that were made were treasure enough.

There was nothing of greater significance in Lynn’s life than her family. Lynn showered her children with affection. There was no problem she could not will away with a little “tickle scratching”. Lynn loved when her daughters would treat her to a back rub and would always say “One more, no more,” to try and convince them to rub her back for just a little while longer. Lynn was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother. She was such a special part of Liam, Madison, and Brody’s lives. Tom and Lynn hosted family dinners regularly and were always sure to have all of their grandchildren’s favorites-macaroni and cheese, Oreo cookies, and Goldfish crackers- on hand. Lynn loved to surprise her grandchildren with “love presents” and adorn them with magnetic-letter messages on the kitchen refrigerator.

Lynn had a deep love for cooking, and it brought her great joy to share her love with family and friends through her many cherished dishes. Lynn didn’t dare enter a Flavin gathering without a crab log to contribute to the hors d'oeuvres table. Arguably the only thing better than the traditional boiled meal and Irish soda bread Lynn prepared every St. Patrick ’s Day was the hash she made with the left over corned beef. Because Lynn’s brothers and nephews held her sloppy joes in such high regard, they have even asked her to ship them, as far as California, in an effort to satisfy their cravings over the years. Christmas could not go on without Lynn’s signature Chex mix. All of Lynn’s family and friends knew that they must return the empty tin if they hoped to get Chex mix the following year.

In quieter moments, Lynn could often be found sitting at the kitchen table working on a crossword or Sudoku puzzle or scratching instant lottery tickets. She was never happier than when she was sitting with her dearest friend Pat Walter playing rummy cubes (“Cubes”) and exchanging “scoopies”. It was not uncommon to find Lynn and Tom at D.Coy Ducks playing Keno on a Saturday afternoon. She could never contain the excitement she experienced when “her numbers” came in- literally everyone at the bar cheered for “her numbers”. She loved her life because of the people in it and the joy she shared with them.

All who knew Lynn Flavin would agree that she was a special person. She was a longtime resident of Gravel Lake, and there was no one she met who wasn’t greeted with her contagious smile or a red-lipstick kiss on the cheek. Lynn devoted her life to her family, and although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother, she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest reward.

Lynn Ann Flavin, aged 68, of Lawton, Mi passed away on March 22, 2015, peacefully at her home. She is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Tom Flavin. Lynn was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. She also leaves her children, Shannon Cerny, Andy and Amy Williams, and Nicholas and Katelynn Hill; and step son, James (Karen) O'Shea; her grandchildren, Liam Williams, Madison Hill, and Brody Williams; her siblings, Daniel (Jean) Schram, Donna Tjernberg, Bruce (Mary Jo) Schram, and Denise Schram. Lynn was preceded in death by her first spouse, James O'Shea; daughter, Margie O'Shea; as well as her parents, Robert and Marguerite Schram.

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