Anne Meyjes Flanagan, a 47-year resident of Darien, died on September 11th at Stamford Hospital after a long battle with a chronic illness. She was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1932 and grew up in nearby Grosse Pointe. She was the youngest of four children of Dr. Alfred and Katrina LaFerte. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and had a wide circle of wonderful friends her family said.
She was always an active member of the Darien community. She ran the Royle School Book Fair for many years, including once when she was nine months pregnant. She coordinated the original capital campaign for Post 53 which enabled them to build their current headquarters. She was then recruited by Bud Doble to be one of the original Post 53 "day ladies" when the Post first started covering emergency ambulance calls 24 hours a day back in the 1980s. She also spent many years working in the development office of the Darien YWCA where she cherished her interactions with her co-workers.
A great athlete, one of her passions was playing tennis at the Tokeneke Club, where she was a long time member. Though always competitive, her true joy was spending time with her friends. Her countless friends were a great source of laughter, camaraderie and support, especially during her last years.
She is survived by her husband of 15 years, Bill Flanagan, her devoted caretaker. She is also survived by her four children; Bobby Meyjes (Joan) of Darien, Julie Smith (Greg) of London, England, Catherine Meyjes of New Castle, New Hampshire, John Meyjes (Sarah) of Piedmont, California and 10 grand-children, Christine Smith, Caylie Smith, Campbell Smith, Annie Meyjes, Sam Meyjes, Matt Meyjes, Peter Gerrish, Willem Gerrish, Kate Meyjes and Jack Meyjes. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and one of her most cherished memories was watching the huge brood of cousins running around the fields and beaches of Block Island. She is also survived by a brother, Daniel LaFerte (Gertie) of Michigan and a brother-in-law, Joe Hyde of New Hampshire. She is pre-deceased by a dear sister, Louise Hyde and brother, Fred LaFerte.
The family will have calling hours at Lawrence Funeral Home on Friday September 19 from 5:00-8:00 and funeral services will be on Saturday September 20th at 10:30 at St. Thomas More, her spiritual home for many decades, where she was familiar as the little old lady shuffling to one of the front pews with a smile and her oxygen bottle in tow.
Memorial donations can be made in her name to Darien EMS Post 53, P.O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820 or the Darien YWCA 49 Old Kings Hwy N., Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com