Violet Flynn

Violet Flynn (nee Pollock) passed away on September 22, 2016 at the age of 98. Violet was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 17, 1918 to George Pollock and Margaret Canning. She was their youngest child, and had two older brothers, James and George. In about 1921, the family relocated to Dublin, Ireland, where Violet attended school, took piano and dance lessons, and graduated from commercial college at about 16. Violet held various clerical and bookkeeping jobs and worked in the fashion industry. She was also a chorus dancer at the Gaiety and Royal Theatres for several years. In the early 1940s, Violet was out for drinks after a show, and met Edward Flynn, a professional soccer goalie who had a day job at the Guinness Brewery. They dated on and off. In 1947, Violet immigrated to the United States and settled with relatives in Paterson, New Jersey. She made a living using her bookkeeping skills and soon was able to afford a place of her own. In 1948, Edward followed her to the US, and they were married in December of that year. In 1957, Violet and Edward purchased a home in Westwood, New Jersey, and had their daughter, Tara. Edward established a paperhanging business, and Violet worked alternately as a piano teacher and a bank teller. In 1990, they relocated to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, near where Tara was then living, and then in 1998 moved to Collegeville, PA to an in-law apartment at Tara's home. They became regulars at the Harleysville Senior Center until Edward too ill to go out. Violet was widowed in 2002. She continued to visit the senior center nearly every day, having lunch and playing cards with friends. In August and September, Violet had two falls, the second of which resulted in three cracked ribs. She developed pneumonia and passed away quickly and without suffering on September 22, with Tara at her side. She is survived by Tara, her son-in-law Frank Gorman and her granddaughter Maeve Flynn Gorman. In accordance with her wishes, Violet will be cremated without a service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Harleysville Senior Center, where Violet passed so many happy hours surrounded by friends.
At Violet's request, services and interment will be private.