Anne Louise (Flanagan) Thompson

Anne Louise (Flanagan) Thompson died peacefully with her daughters by her side on February 17, 2020. An avid lover of American history, particularly Abraham Lincoln, it was fitting she passed on Presidents’ Day.
Anne was a long-time resident of Milton. She attended Jeanne d’Arc Academy in Milton and received her Bachelor’s Degree in education from Leslie College.
She loved her time teaching at the Dean S. Luce Elementary School in Canton.
While her three daughters attended Milton public schools, she became active in the school system, advocating for small class sizes and new school buildings.
She loved Milton and was fascinated by the town’s history. Her volunteer contributions to the town were numerous.
Anne was a docent at the Forbes Museum where she discovered and restored a very rare film of Civil War veterans and rescued and raised funds to restore the Civil War tablet at the Milton Town Hall. She was instrumental in the restoration of the statue by renowned  sculptor Daniel Chester French that graces the Milton town green as well as the replica of Lincoln’s log cabin at the Forbes House Museum.  Anne also discovered and catalogued 1,800 glass-plate negatives that belonged to Margaret "Daisy" Sutermeister, a turn-of-the-19th century Milton photographer who captured images of local life at that time. They were later published in a book by art historian Judith Bookbinder and have formed the basis of a number of exhibitions since.
Anne was passionately involved in the Milton Historical Society and the Milton Historical Commission, serving as president and a board member for many years.  Anne, along with her husband George, shared her passion for Milton history by developing and leading generations of Milton Public School fifth grade students on bus tours of historic Milton sites for over 25 years.
Anne served as co-chairperson of the 325th Anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Milton.  As an active parishioner at Saint Elizabeth, Anne taught religious education and co- authored the 50-year history of the parish.
Anne was recognized by the town for her outstanding volunteerism and citizenship numerous times including Person of the Year for the Milton Kiwanis Club and Citizen of the Year by the Town Club Milton.
Anne was the daughter of William H. Flanagan, Sr. and Catherine V. Flanagan and is pre-deceased by her cherished husband of 58 years, George M. Thompson, Jr., sister Catherine Joan Cochran and brother John C. Flanagan, both of Maryland. She leaves her daughters, Beth Boggs and husband Jack of Houston, Texas, Faith Thompson and husband John Hunnewell of Dunellen, New Jersey and Kara Russo and husband Richard of Milton. Also survived by eight grandchildren: Rachel, William, Kevin, Abigail, George, Christopher, Grace and Laurel Anne; her brother William H. Flanagan, Jr. and wife Clare, of Needham; many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Alfred Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave. in Milton on February 21, from 3-7 p.m.

Funeral from the funeral home on Saturday, February 22, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Elizabeth Church 350 Reedsdale Road in Milton at 10 am.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment at Milton Cemetery in Milton.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
The Milton Historical Society
1370 Canton Avenue
Milton, MA 02186
 

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