Mary Catherine Flynn

Mary Catherine Flynn Gerner was one of the most influential people in my life. Her endless optimism, selfless love and constant encouragement fueled my passion for family, my profession and baseball.  Mary Catherine was the 3^rd of 5 children of Edward Edwin Flynn and Augusta Becker on 7 Oct 1919 in Newport Kentucky. She was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church on 19 October 1919.  Godparents were her Uncle Frank Becker and her Aunt Jennie Flynn.

Mary Catherine when to grade school at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Newport, Kentucky.  She graduated from Newport High School in 1939.  The “Girl’s Horoscope” in he senior yearbook said Mary Flynn Loves Dancing, hates Nothing, Disposition Agreeable, Pastime Talking, Wants to be: Successful. Her classmates clearly knew her well.

Mary's father, Edward Edwin Flynn died when Mary was just 12 years old in 1932.  Her mother, Augusta Barbara at some point in the next few years married Frank Sturgell.  Sadly in 1941, Mary Catherine’s mother died when she was just 21.  Less than 3 months later she married Elmer John Gerner.  Elmer John Gerner was the rock in her life.  He was always there to support everything Mary did. Elmer and Mary had a deeply loving relationship. Family always came first as was evident in the way they raised their 7 children.