Shirley Mae Flanner

With great sadness we inform you of the sudden passing into the arms of the Lord our dearly beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and true friend. Shirley died Tuesday, October 23, 2012, due to cardiac arrest.

Such a special blessing to all who knew and loved her, Shirley brought all of the greatest virtues in life to all her friends, loved ones, and students. She lit up the hallways of Start High School as a Spanish teacher for 30 years, and impacted the lives of hundreds of admiring students for the rest of their lives. Born in Toledo May 6, 1928, she attended Denison University before finally earning her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from University of Toledo. Left to raise four children on her own under age 14 due to divorce in 1966, she demonstrated the highest degree of grace, fortitude, determination, and work ethic the world has ever seen, and we were greatly blessed by her example of excellence in all things. When three jobs weren't enough to pay the bills, she took a fourth. So much could be written of her love, dedication, friendships, travels, fun times, as well her triumph in deepest trials and tribulations with grace and dignity. Instead, all who loved her, please come and help soften the blow with your presence and share your memories at the times listed below.

Shirley was preceded in death by three of her children, Denison Sue Dutton, Kelleigh C. Flanner, and William F. Flanner. No wonder her heart was broken. She is survived by her oldest son, George C. Flanner, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Grace Ann; brother, William Blinn; son-in-law, Ryan Dutton; eleven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one niece, and one nephew.

We will have a viewing Monday the 29th, from 3-8 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home at 4150 W. Laskey Rd. Toledo, OH. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday the 30th at St. Matthews Episcopal Church 5240 Talmadge Rd., Toledo, OH. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Matthews Episcopal Church.