Obituary of Valerie J. Flanagan

Valerie J. Flanagan, 73, of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro, NJ with her daughter by her side. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Valerie moved to Matawan, NJ in 1969 to raise her growing family with her husband Pat.  After her children had grown, she then spent many happy years living in Freehold where she began volunteering at her local parish, St. Rose of Lima, as a Eucharistic minister as well as a secretary at the St. Vincent de Paul Society.   During that period, Valerie’s devout Catholic faith also led her journey to become part of the Carmelite Order.  The next phase of her life found her living in rural East Windsor, close to her daughter and her family.  There she enjoyed photographing birds and nature, spending time with her many pet birds, cats, and dogs, and visits with her grandchildren.    

Valerie worked as a Mortgage Representative for Amboy Bank in Old Bridge for nearly 20 years. She retired at 53 years of age to pursue her lifelong dream to “see the world.”  Her travels brought her to Italy, The Vatican, her mother’s farm in Ireland, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, the South Pacific, the Panama Canal, and Costa Rica. She also enjoyed many memorable trips to the Caribbean with her family.  Her family is incredibly grateful for her love of photography, as we reminisce over old photos and relive all the priceless moments we shared with her. Valerie’s family was the center of her life. Whether it was a celebration or a time of need, she would be there, no matter the time or distance. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her joy of life, quick wit, and generous spirit. Although she will be deeply missed, we are forever grateful and blessed to have had such a strong, wonderful woman in our lives.     

Valerie is predeceased by her parents, Jack and Anne (Doran) Keough; her brother, Jack Keough; and her daughter, Patty Ney.  She leaves behind her son, Martin Flanagan and his wife, Kelli, of CA; her daughter, Valerie Rupp and her husband, John, of East Windsor, NJ; her sister, Maureen O’Donnell of NY; her sister-in-law, Arlene Keough of AZ; and her 11 grandchildren,  Ryan, Sean, Morgan, and Sydney Flanagan, Zack and Amanda Ney, and Logan, Paige, Payton, Blake and Mason Rupp.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. Please continue to visit our website for service details. 

For those who wish to honor Valerie, contributions may be made in her memory to Best Friends Animal Society - bestfriends.org/donate/memory or National Audubon Society - Audubon.org.

Please visit Valerie’s permanent memorial site at www.simplicityfuneralservices.com. We encourage all to share memories, words of comfort or leave a message of condolence for the family. Perhaps share a favorite story or special way Mrs. Flanagan touched your heart.  Each one will help provide comfort and hope to all who read the remembrances. 

You are welcome to plant a tree, light a candle, or post a photograph of Mrs. Flanagan via the website.

Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ.