At her retirement dinner she said: "I did not do this work. The families did. I just carried some of the weight for a while." That's the kind of humility you don't forget.
4 months ago
Catherine Rose Flynn
July 21, 1946 – February 7, 2026 · 79 years
"A fierce heart wrapped in quiet grace."
Biography
Catherine Rose Flynn was a retired social worker who spent 35 years advocating for families in the child welfare system of Boston, Massachusetts. Born in South Boston to an Irish Catholic family, Catherine was shaped by community, faith, and an uncompromising sense of justice. She earned her master's degree at night while raising three children. After retiring, she became a foster grandmother to children in temporary care. Catherine is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and the dozens of families whose lives she changed forever.
Messages & Tributes (10)
+ Write a MessageShe fought to keep my family together when the system wanted to separate us. I don't know where we would be without her.
4 months ago
Catherine was my caseworker when I was 14. She was the first adult who ever told me I wasn't the problem. I have been trying to believe it ever since. She helped.
4 months ago
Mam fought for people who had nothing and everything stacked against them. She never once thought she was doing anything special. That was the most special thing about her.
4 months ago
Catherine was on the board of our nonprofit for 12 years. She never missed a meeting, never let a bad policy slide, and never raised her voice in anger. Formidable.
4 months ago
She took in three foster children over the years while raising her own three. She never spoke of this as sacrifice. She called it the best thing she ever did.
4 months ago
Cathy and I graduated the same year. She went to social work, I went to finance. She always said she got the better deal. I've always thought she was right.
4 months ago
I supervised Cathy's master's thesis in 1981. She was the most purposeful student I ever taught — every word, every choice, in service of something larger than herself.
4 months ago
Mom had a saying: "Justice delayed is justice for no one." She said it in court. She said it at the dinner table. She lived it.
4 months ago
She worked double shifts when we were small and still made us dinner every night. I did not understand what that cost her until I had children of my own.
4 months ago