Anne Teresa Flynn Blau

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A remarkable woman, Anne Teresa Flynn Blau, age 61, passed away peacefully with her husband at her side on February 21, 2023, at Froedtert Hospital, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, after complications from surgery. Anne was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Lloyd and Betty Flynn on August 31, 1961. Anne grew up in the Morningside neighborhood of Edina, and up until her passing was living in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and Naples, Florida. Anne was a precious little Irish girl, with fire engine red hair, Shirly Temple-like curls, dimples, a button nose, and sparkling eyes. Anne attended Morningside and Highlands elementary schools, Edina East High School, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota, with a Creative Writing Emphasis. In 1996, Anne met her future husband, John, and married in 1997. Her summer wedding was at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and the officiant was none other than Archbishop Harry J. Flynn. After their honeymoon in Ireland, Anne and John began their adventure together in Minnetonka, Minnesota. In the intervening years Anne lived in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, Miami, Florida, and Naples, Florida. In late 2021, Anne was able to make La Maison Club in Naples her permanent residence. Just like her mother and father, Anne loved being outdoors and watching all variety of birds, especially the cardinals and mockingbirds. She loved flowers and tending to her gardens. Anne loved to both read and work while sitting outdoors on her balcony enjoying the views of Doctors Bay. She loved taking long walks with John on the Gulf Shore beach path, or on 5th Avenue and 3rd St. in downtown Naples. Anne was a spirited and kind woman with a quick wit and a gift for injecting humor into any conversation. She was a people-person, had a genuine interest in the lives of those around her, and had the gift of making people feel good. She loved her family. When visiting family in Minnesota, Anne loved get-togethers with the family at her brother's lake home, and visits to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where she enjoyed walks with her Mom and Dad through the beautiful flower gardens. Anne was an exceptional writer, and she was a great steward of that talent throughout her life. With her education, innate talent, creativity, and wonderful personality, Anne embarked on a successful 28-year career in sales and marketing communications. She was an accomplished professional in Marketing Services and Proposal Management with prominent engineering, law, and consulting firms, including Foley & Lardner, LP, and ICF Consulting Group, Inc. Anne collaborated with and led teams across the country and was instrumental in her firm's ability to win new business. Anne was performing brilliantly and building strong relationships within ICF right up until her passing. Anne is preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Betty, and brothers Mike and Pat. Anne is survived by her husband John, brothers Joe (Charlotte), Bob (Val), Tim (Melinda), and John; nephews Tom, Paul, Aaron (Margaret), Ryan, Andrew and Dan; great-nephews Collin and Pierce; sisters-in-law Joan, Lori, Gail, Cheryl, Susie, Janet, Mary, and Lisa; brothers-in-law Jim, James, Frank, Tom, Bob, Jeff, Tom, and Bill. Anne is also survived by many loving Flynn, Blau, Brandt, Larsen, McNamee, Morlan, Morrissey, Whelan and Wikman nieces, nephews, and their families, in Wisconsin, Minnesota, around the country, and overseas. She is further survived by her special childhood friends from Edina, Minnesota, and other close friends from the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Naples. The family extends warm thanks and gratitude to the doctors and staff at Froedtert Hospital, who provided excellent and compassionate care to Anne over the last 17 months. Visitation at Becker Ritter Funeral Home, 14075 W North Avenue, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Thursday, March 9, 2023, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Vigil service 6:00 p.m. Additional Visitation at St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Parish, 1260 Church Street, Elm Grove, Wisconsin, 53122 on Friday, March 10, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eulogies at 10:30 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be directed to the National Audubon Society, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, or the University of Minnesota Department of English. Condolences: beckerritter.com

Published on March 5, 2023