Mary Flanagan ’79 Danielson

Mary Flanagan ’79 Danielson of Alto, Michigan, died on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was 59.

She will be deeply missed by her husband of 35 years, Mike; her daughters Amanda (Jordan) McElroy and Laura Danielson; her granddaughter Emma McElroy; her mother, Joyce Flanagan; her siblings Linda (Al) Smith, Beth (Craig) Plante, and Jill (Bret) Norvilitis; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lois and Norman Danielson; her brothers-in-law, Gerry (Deb) Danielson and Jim (Vicki) Danielson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Jim Flanagan. Mary graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and Hope College. She impacted many lives through her careers in social work and education, and she especially loved her time spent as a children’s librarian. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Mary never missed any of her daughters’ concerts or sporting events.

She relished being a grandmother. Mary was actively involved at Fifth Reformed Church in Grand Rapids and New Ground Church in Caledonia. She loved camping and outdoor activities, sewing and crafting, and reading. She had an extraordinary gift for people. She was a kind, adventurous, positive, supportive, strong, humble, talented child of God. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, September 16 at New Ground Church, 5455 84th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. Visitation will be held at New Ground Church on Friday, September 15, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that children’s books or Barnes and Noble gift cards be brought or sent to New Ground Church, which will be donated to honor Mary’s passion for sharing the love of reading with children.

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