ForeverMissed
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Her Life

We learned resourcefullness

January 21, 2016

Grace Theresa Flynn, 87 years old, a resident of Mira Mesa, San Diego California, peacefully passed away in her sleep to a better place at approximately 3:45 AM December 1st 2015, in the city of Escondido, California.  We miss her terribly, as will all those who had the pleasure of having her enter their lives.

Born September 9th 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, 13 months before the Great Depression of 1929, to her children she became the living symbol of stoic resignation.  An only child, her father, Mr. John Joseph Flynn (1902-1944), Dubuque, Iowa was from a strong Irish countryside stock who moved to Detroit to obtain employment in the booming automotive industry.  Her mother Mrs. Stefania Jean Flynn Paczesniak (1905-1978) of Freeport, Pennsylvania, a housewife, who was from humble and fiercely proud Polish descent.

Grace grew up in Detroit during the hard hitting Depression era years, where frugality and perseverance were a hard lesson to learn for everyone.  Grace only finished 4th grade and in her teens and young adulthood saw other hardships as well, such that from the rationing of basic necessities and the horrors of World War II and the constant threat of sudden annihilation of the Cold War.  From these lessons she was able to learn how to make ends meet with the least of resources and carry on with absolute resolve and determination.

She married Mr. Federico Delgado Revueltas (1927-1999) of Tampico México, a Mechanical Engineer, who was to become the love of her life.  Together they had five living children.  Frederick John Delgado (S. Elizabeth del Castillo), Daniel Delgado (Guadalupe Lara); Jeanette Ann Delgado, Arthur Delgado and Cristina Delgado McSkimming (Steven B. McSkimming); six grandchildren, Tania Ordoñez, Gabriela Ordoñez, Daniel Delgado Jr., Krystal Delgado, Desiree McSkimming and Cassidy McSkimming; and one great-grandchild, Scarlett Singh.  Grace was a devoted Catholic who instilled in her children the passion of the historical significances in the story of the Bible.  Grace moved to México City in 1958 when her husband obtained employment as a Field Installation Engineer.  Grace remained in México City after divorcing and raised her kids there, forced once again into frugality and resourcefulness.  She learned Spanish and how to make the best Café con Leche (or "Veneno" as it was referred to by all who got to enjoy the brew).  Grace completed 6th grade while in Mexico.  In 1974 she left México to seek a better life and relocated to San Diego California, a city she loved.   Grace held a myriad of jobs in California including working for the Van Camp Chicken of the Sea Tuna factory in National City and as a food server for Scripps Clinic's Green Hospital from where she retired.    Grace loved animals and was never without a pet.  She rescued many cats while living in México one of which was a true “Tom Cat” named Micho Gonzales, however, her most beloved pet was her childhood dog Trixie, they have now all reunited in heaven.  She leaves behind Mishka, her last cat.

At the end of her life she continued to persevere and never gave up battling Alzheimer's and a second stroke which ultimately was more than she could manage. Grace's favorite time of the year was Christmas because the great joy of having the entire family gathered.  She passed the first day of December in order to shield us of the immediate pain of her departure so we could again gather and be happy during the holiday she loved most.  Above everything Grace loved her children and her happiest times were when she spent them with them.