Sue Flitner

Sue Flitner

Feb. 1, 1934 – Oct. 30, 2021

Longtime Shell resident Sue (Suzanne Moynahan) Flitner passed away in her home early in the morning, Saturday, Oct. 30, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and her first great grandchild.

Born outside of Boston Feb. 1, 1934, Suzanne (su-Zahn) was the middle child of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Moynahan. Throughout her life, Sue spoke with gratitude for her parents’ love, dedication, and the core values they instilled in her. She was particularly grateful to Andrew who taught Suzanne to swim in the ocean before she was able to walk, which explained her flawless Australian Crawl.

In high school, Suzanne was a feature writer for the school newspaper, president of the Chemistry Club, and active in the Swim Club, however spent most of her after-school time practicing with the all-female precision Drill Team, featuring military-like uniforms and wooden batons. Fit from swimming, Suzanne served as captain for all four years, leading her class platoon during halftime entertainment at home games.

As a student at the University of Massachusetts, majoring in English and education, Suzanne was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Each summer she returned to the beaches of her youth to lifeguard and wait tables to earn money for college.

Her sophomore year at UMass she was elected Winter Carnival Queen, thanks to some friends who submitted her name “as a joke.” Though she was embarrassed by the attention, later that year she was also crowned queen of the UMass ROTC Ball. “For the soldiers,” she explained years later. “Who could say no to that?”

Thanksgiving vacation of her junior year, Suzanne was invited to an informal dinner at the home of a childhood friend, who happened to be hosting a college classmate at Dartmouth, David Flitner of Wyoming. Suzanne Moynahan and David Flitner were engaged in June of her senior year and married the following June in Lowell, Mass. They honeymooned in a sheep wagon in the Big Horn Mountains, then drove to a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, where David began officer training and Suzanne began her teaching career. During that four-year stint, daughters Kathryn and Ellen were born.

After completion of Marine officer training, Mr. and Mrs. David Flitner and daughters returned to the family ranch on Shell Creek to make their home. After son, Greg, was born, Sue returned to teaching. Having eventually taught every grade except third, Sue discovered that first grade was her passion. Prior to her retirement from teaching, after 38 years as an educator, Sue Flitner was honored as a Wyoming Educator of Distinction, thanks to the Basin School District.

Sue Flitner was an active member of the Greybull chapter of PEO, serving as president. After her children were grown, she transformed her beautiful home one summer into a PEO B&B to benefit scholarships for local girls. She was also a Hospice volunteer, a docent for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and a volunteer at the Moss Mansion in Billings, Mont., and regularly donated to women undergoing treatment at the Cody Cancer Center. Sue was an active member of the Republican Party, serving as a precinct committee woman, hosting numerous receptions and fundraisers at her home.

In retirement, Sue Flitner travelled to far corners of the globe with local friends and family. In addition to adventure, she loved antique auctions and entertaining. Holiday Hen Parties, Shell Coffees, PEO meetings, and family gatherings allowed her to share the home she loved on a regular basis. Surprising her family, she became an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. She knew the players and their stats and rejoiced in their victories.

Suzanne Moynahan Flitner was preceded in death by her parents; an older sister, Jane Coviello, and her younger brother, Brad Moynahan.

She leaves behind three children: Kathryn Flitner Wallop/Matt, of Florida (Blake Spiegelberg, Fiona, Lila); Ellen Flitner/ Dave Grabbert, of Cody (Grady); Greg Flitner/Pam, of Shell (Morgan, Colten, Jordan, Scotlyn and great-granddaughter Dunnley Willis).

A celebration of Sue’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Marine’s Toys for Tots or Hospice of Big Horn County. It was her wish that our family thank her friends, associates, neighbors, and many, many students for their friendship, kindness, and a lifetime of wonderful memories. Each one of you held a special place in her heart.

Category: