The Star has received word of the death on Aug. 8 of Teresa Flanagan of Montauk. Ms. Flanagan, an accomplished artist, illustrator, and business owner who was known as Terry, died at home, surrounded by family, at the age of 92. She had been in declining physical health since breaking her hip last year, though relatives said she remained clearheaded and in good spirits until the end.
After attending the Franklin School of Art in Manhattan, Ms. Flanagan began her career as an illustrator of greeting cards, eventually becoming the youngest and first female art director of the Norcross Greeting Card Company in New York City. She collaborated on several projects with Charles Shultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" cartoons, working together on books and on the Random House Children's Encyclopedia.
Ms. Flanagan was born in Brooklyn on Jan. 11, 1928, to Bernard Flanagan and the former Molly Bleheian, who began visiting Montauk when their children were young. In the 1970s, with thoughts of the hamlet in her heart, she declined to move to Pennsylvania when Norcross relocated its operations. Instead she moved to Montauk full time and became a freelancer, with the Random House publishing company among her clients. Later in life, following her dreams and a love of Ireland, she opened the Irish Country Loft on Gosman's Dock, and ran the stylish imports store for 20 years, from 1985 to 2005.
She eventually became a well-known watercolor artist as well, displaying her paintings in galleries and homes both here and in Ireland and winning awards from the American Watercolor Society and the Allied Artists of America. One of her more recent works, "The Spirit of Abigail," is on permanent display at the Montauk Lighthouse.
Ms. Flanagan gave freely of her time. A former president of the Montauk Village Association, she was also a eucharistic minister for St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church. Relatives said she will be remembered as a special person who was fun and spontaneous and who made family gatherings fun.
"Terry always made time to encourage us in our dreams, listen to our concerns, and celebrate our victories, no matter how large or small. Her unbridled enthusiasm was a gift to us all," wrote Kevin Lammens of Babylon, a nephew.
Ms. Flanagan's three siblings, Peter Flanagan, Josephine Lammens, and Rita Goddard, died before her. "With her passing, a long and precious chapter in our lives has come to an end. We're all grateful for the wonderful times we were able to share with Terry over the years," Mr. Lammens wrote.
Ms. Flanagan never married or had children, but she had a large extended family of nieces and nephews whom she cherished. They are Mary "Mike" Markham of Babylon, Danny Lammens of Bay Shore, Deirdre Pizzello of West Islip, Donna Skjeveland of Holbrook, Meeghan Wiedenmuller of Babylon, Michael Flanagan of South Setauket, and Anne Flanagan Capuder of New York City. She also leaves a lifelong friend, Eleanor Ehrhardt, formerly of Montauk.
Burial took place at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk. A memorial tree will be planted in her honor in the spring of 2021.
