Leora Burke Flynn's Obituary
Leora Burke Flynn
1938 - 2022
Leora Burke Flynn, known as Lee, passed away at her home on August 26th, at the age of 84. Lee was born in Idaho Falls on August 8, 1938, to Mary Crossley and Charles Walter Burke. She was the youngest of seven children. She grew up on a farm and she would recount tales of her early adventures with a devilish chuckle. Mostly it was hard work and she developed resilience and an independent streak during those early years.
She attended a one room school until third grade. She was the only child in her grade and everyone at the school was related. Subsequent schools were a bit bigger, but she yearned to get off the farm and out into the world.
After high school, she attended BYU but it was not a good fit for her. The university felt likewise and expelled her for having coffee in her room. She spent some time with a friend and her family in Arizona, having a bit too much fun according to her. She had not forgotten her desire to be a scientist and when she happened on an ad for Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, she enrolled.
She took a domed train to Philadelphia so she could see everything as she crossed the country. The journey included a 6 hour layover in Chicago of which she took full advantage. She took a tour bus that lasted about an hour and then asked the driver what else she could do when it was over. He dropped her off at a museum and came back to pick her up in time for her to catch her train. This was the start of her many travels.
She did very well at this school and it was one of the best times of her life. She earned a certificate for x-ray and medical technology. She got a job in the physiology department of Jefferson Medical College and later worked at the Children’s Hospital. She reveled in her new life and independence, cultivating good friends and new experiences. She married Michael Flynn (divorced years later) and had 2 daughters, Deirdre and Colleen Flynn. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in the 70’s.
She left the workforce for a time to raise her children and indulge in her many projects and past times. She was rarely at rest. She kept a fantastic garden. She was a girl scout troop leader, cross country and downhill skier, quilted, reupholstered furniture, installed kitchen cabinets, made fences and patio furniture, fixed sprinklers and electrical wiring, bowled, played golf, and racquetball. She also enjoyed crafting. There were phases of macrame, pottery, pet rocks, needlepoint, and more. She loved camping and pinochle, canoeing and organizing. She sewed everything: clothes, toys, drapes. Somehow she found time to make her own wine. She loved trying new things and loved learning.
Her resiliency was tested by the tragedy of losing her eldest daughter, Colleen, to suicide at the age of 15. She never recovered from that loss but did not let it drag her down. She sought help for herself and her family and did not shy away from helping anyone else in need.
When her youngest graduated from high school, she went back to school and earned a degree in data processing. She had a second career as a technical writer for First Security (later Wells Fargo) before retiring.
She always loved traveling and meeting new people. She was a member of Friendship Force, traveling with them to other countries as well as hosting visitors from around the world. She traveled to Peru on a service trip with the Lions Foundation. Her love of travel took her to Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, sailing the Leeward Islands, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and all over the United States.
She was a nurturer and always giving comfort. When her older sister, Arlene, married she helped on her Montana farm for a Summer. When her brother Adrian needed help with his daughters after a divorce, she took them into her home. She took in or cared for in meaningful ways many nieces and nephews. She had a heart much bigger than her home and she always found room and found a way to help. She volunteered many hours with the Lions Foundation. She was an agnostic, but also a deacon at Cottonwood Presbyterian Church because she enjoyed the fellowship and caring for others. She was a volunteer for the 2002 Olympics and a volunteer usher for the Salt Lake County Arts.
She was quiet, but a force. Her laugh tickled your heart. She was patient and peaceful. Her ability to listen without judgement was remarkable. She will be deeply missed.
She is proceeded in death by her daughter, parents, siblings Nelma McNeal, Arlene Hoopes, Darrell (Bud) Burke, Murland (Jay) Burke, and Lorna Morris. She is survived by her daughter, Deirdre Flynn and sibling Adrian Burke.
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staff at Symbi Home Health and Hospice for their ardent care and compassion during the last weeks of her life.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Lions Club Foundation at https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/donate.
A celebration of life will be held in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Please come back for details
What’s your fondest memory of Leora?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leora?
Share a story where Leora's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leora you’ll never forget.
How did Leora make you smile?