Obituary of Colleen P. Flannery

Colleen Patricia Flannery, of Succasunna, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at University Hospital in Newark. She was 66 years young. Although she was taken too soon from this life, the memories and lessons that she has left us with will remain for generations to come.

Born and raised in Brooklyn and Queens to the late Walter James Flannery and Violet Grace Koch, Colleen broke the mold when she was born. After graduating from High School, she was employed as a Security Processor at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company and worked her way up to become the first woman on the trading desk as an Assistant Federal Funds Trader. She then took a position with the BFCE or Banque Francaise du Commerce Exterieur (a French Bank) as the Head Trader of all Domestic Money Markets. She received her undergraduate degree in Education from College of Saint Elizabeth in Florham Park and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the College of New Jersey. In 1992, Colleen relocated with her family to NJ where she became the Third Grade Special Education Teacher in Rockaway Township at Catherine A. Dwyer and Birchwood Elementary Schools, retiring in 2017. Her compassion, ambition, and dedication shaped her to be the incredible teacher that she was. She was a member of the NJEA or NJ Education Association.

Colleen taught Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dover for many years, alongside her children. She had a passion for pottery, music, letterboxing, nature, and animals. In 2014, she married her best friend, Michael E. Mazzei and together they shared many adventures. They traveled, went to concerts, and even dived with Humpback and California Grey Whales. Above anything else, her children and grandchildren were her first priority. Colleen made sure to spend as much time as possible with her grandbabies, as they were the apple of her eye. She was a phenomenal woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be sorely missed and forever cherished in our hearts.

Left to continue her legacy of unconditional love are her beloved husband of 5 years, Michael E. Mazzei; her adored children, Michael Gagliano and his wife Megan and Patricia Gagliano and her partner Jeremy Minier, and their father Frank Gagliano; her treasured grandchildren, Margot & Eli Gagliano; her cousin whom she loved like a sister, Kathy LaMarca and her husband Joey; and her special pup, Spot.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Thurs., Feb. 14^th from 4 – 7 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville with Memorial Service beginning at 7 pm. Memorial Donations are being accepted to Cancer Research Institute by way of cancerresearch.org. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share a special memory of Colleen for her family.