Patricia (Pat) Flynn of Cranston, R. I., died unexpectedly at her home January 21. She was 84.
Pat was secretary and treasurer of both Region 1 and the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs for many years, retiring in 1998. She was married to the late Ray Flynn who died in April, 2000.
Both Pat and Ray were fixtures for decades at field trials throughout New England. Ray ran the dogs and Pat kept Ray in line.
The New England Open, especially, would never be the same without the ever-opinionated Ray holding court at the kitchen table and Pat doing everything else, from running the drawing to putting together the cocktail parties, hostessing and keeping track of the running, all the while looking perfectly pulled together with a cigarette dangling from her right hand, her hair coiffed, and wearing the cleanest khaki slacks which always sported a quail in flight on the back pocket.
Pat was an elegant woman. Her kindness and thoughtfulness shone through, and her extremely dry sense of humor and quick wit often came into play, especially when dealing with Ray.
We will miss her very much.
Born in Providence, R. I., she was the daughter of the late Edwin A. Barrows, Jr. and Mrs. Joy Blair Barrows of Edgewood, R. I.
She graduated from Cranston East High School, attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and graduated from TRAPHAGON Fashion Academy in New York City. She was a fashion model and started a career as a fashion coordinator at Gladding’s Department Store in Providence.
When they weren’t running field trial dogs, Ray and Pat were movie actors. Really.
About 15 years ago, they procured their “SAG” cards from the Screen Actors Guild. Much to both Ray and Pat’s delight, they earned roles as
extras in several films shot in Rhode Island, including “The Great Gatsby” and “Meet Joe Black”. Pat also appeared in a number of local television commercials.
An avid bridge player, Pat also loved the ocean and often went deep-sea fishing with her grandsons.
She is survived by her daughter Victoria Renzi-Allen of Orange County, Cal., and grandsons Nicholas Renzi of Los Angeles, Ryan Renzi of Edison, N.J., and Neal Renzi of Orange County, Cal.; her brother Blair Barrows of Harwick, Mass., and sister Joy Nordquist of North Scituate, R. I.
A memorial service was held on January 30 at Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home in Cranston, R. I.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Patricia Flynn to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. For memorial service information and condolences, go to jwsfh.com.
— Janice Gregory