Nancy Ellen (Hansen) Flahaven, of Niles

Published 9:25 am Friday, May 24, 2019

Aug. 26, 1933 — May 21, 2019

Nancy Ellen (Hansen) Flahaven, 85, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Nancy was born on Aug. 26, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late John C. and Stella (Bolm) Hansen, proudly growing up in a Danish household with her older brother, John.

On April 18, 1953, in a ceremony in Chicago, Nancy married (Arthur) Richard Flahaven, and in 1955, their first child James Richard was born.

Nancy Ellen (Hansen) Flahaven

In 1957, Richard, Nancy and “Jimmy” moved to South Bend, where Nancy became the consummate homemaker, and Richard; a trust officer at First Bank & Trust Company (later to become First Source Bank). They went on to have three more children; Richard John (1958), Nancy Ann (1960), and Janet Ellen (1962).

In the summer of 1965, the Flahaven Family bought a 100-year-old farmhouse on Portage Road in Niles, (currently the location of The Harvest Bed & Breakfast). Nancy and Richard worked hard to make their “fixer upper” a wonderful home for their four children, and the multitude of pets she took in over the years.

In 1968, Nancy pursued a life-long dream to attend a six-week gourmet cooking course at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. As a result, she became a wonderful cook, who often hosted dinner parties for family and friends at the family home.

Blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit, Nancy started and owned several businesses, including a secretarial typing service, and home alarm business.

In the 1970’s and early 80’s Nancy served as the office manager at the former Lawson-Fisher Associates in South Bend. She also worked for Robert Bauer Interiors, in South Bend where she indulged her love of interior design and as a result, decorated her home in beautiful style. An avid reader, Nancy was a part of several local book clubs, and often played Bridge with her Thursday afternoon Bridge Club. An enthusiastic tennis player, Nancy and Richard were often found playing tennis with family and friends at Lakeland Tennis Club in Niles.

Nancy loved all animals, and cared deeply for the many pets on the family farm. She never turned a stray animal away. Her beloved dogs, Lionel and Lucky and “Big Boy” cat Luka will miss her love and attention every day.

Nancy was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother whose passing will leave a tremendous void in her family. She is survived by her loving children, James Richard Flahaven (Toni Milanos), of Chicago, Richard John Flahaven (Debra Casteel Flahaven), of Munster, Indiana, Nancy Ann Flahaven (Glenn Alfred), of Chicago and Janet Ellen Flahaven-Law (Scott Law), of Niles; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and brother, and recently, her husband, Arthur “Richard” Flahaven on March 23, 2017.

Funeral services to honor Nancy’s life will be at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Nancy will be laid to rest, next to her husband of 63 years, at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, Berrien County Animal Control, or St. Mary’s Catholic School, Niles.

The Flahaven Family would also like to express their thanks and gratitude to the ER, ICU, and Hospice staff of Lakeland Hospital in Niles, for the care and compassion given in aiding with all the aspects of their mother’s passing.

Photos, condolences, and memories of Nancy may be left for her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.