Susan McGrath Flagler, 77, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, lost her courageous battle with corticobasal degeneration (CBD), on Nov. 25, 2017. Susan battled the debilitating neurological disorder for over a decade.

Susan attended Annunciation Grade School (Minneapolis), Academy of the Holy Angels High School, St. Catherine’s University and the University of Minnesota. She dedicated her life to helping the disadvantaged. She worked at Project for Pride in Living, first managing the Vista Program, and later returning to create and run the Self Sufficiency Program, a program focused on providing education and training to single mothers to assist with securing housing and employment. Susan was an avid walker and enjoyed trips to her cabin in northern Minnesota. Unfortunately, the disabling symptoms of CBD eventually prevented Susan from walking and traveling to her cabin. Susan served on a number of boards focused primarily on women’s personal development, including Jeremiah House in Minneapolis. 

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Lucille Smith; and her stepdaughter, Susan Lewis.

Susan leaves behind her loving husband, Jack Flagler; Susan’s children, Dan (Carolyn) McGrath and Amy McGrath; grandchildren, Dan, Sean, Margaret, Anthony and Connor; and her brother, David Smith. Also remaining are Jack’s children, John, Nancy and Trish Flagler; grandchildren, Kelly Flagler Spencer Lewis, Jack Flagler, Patrick, Joseph and John Behrendt; and great-grandchildren, Kiki and Nea.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 88 N 17th St. Reception will follow.

Visitation will be held from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, at Gill Brothers Southwest Funeral Chapel, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis, and at the Basilica one hour before the service.

There will be a private interment. Memorials are preferred to Project for Pride in Living or Jeremiah House.