Winifred “Winnie” Flattery, a retired St. Paul's School librarian and civic volunteer who was fondly remembered for her organizational skills, died of pneumonia Nov. 21 at Gilchrist Hospice Care.

The Timonium resident was 78.

Born Winifred Balzer in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of James Balzer, a Naval Academy safety officer, and Evelyn Hunter, a seamstress.

She grew up in the Upper Darby section of Philadelphia, then moved to Annapolis in her senior year of high school. She was a 1956 graduate of Annapolis High School.

“It was trying for my mother to move to Annapolis in her senior year of high school,” said her daughter Shawn Brashears of Timonium. “She got through it, all the while making her plans to go on to college. She won a scholarship.”

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at what is now Towson University, where she was secretary of the student government, president of the Women's Athletic Association and 1960 May Queen.

She later obtained a master's degree in instructional technology, also from Towson, and studied at what is now Loyola University Maryland and at University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

As a young woman, she taught at Stoneleigh Elementary School. In 1974, after raising her family, she returned to the field of education and became an assistant librarian in the Lower School at St. Paul's School. In 1995, she became head librarian for the lower, middle and upper schools at the Brooklandville campus. She retired in 2001.

“She was the consummate organizer — she could get things done — and she was determined and tireless.” said Penelope “Penny” Partlow, retired St. Paul's School head librarian and a close friend.

“She was spontaneous and was such a loving person,” said Ms. Partlow. “She was creative and was game for anything. She was also so much fun to be around.”

Family members said she was a reader who often visited countries she first encountered in print. She was also a fan of cookbooks and would often take them to the beach for summer reading.

She had definite ideas about coaxing students to read and felt it was important to allow youngsters to read for pleasure.

A 1998 article in The Baltimore Sun said that Mrs. Flattery was fearful overzealous parents would require their children to read only the books on academic lists — and not the books they actually might enjoy.

The article noted: “At St. Paul's lower school, librarian Winnie Flattery shuns lists, though certainly not reading. ‘Lists can be restrictive and cannot begin to mention the choices your children have for enjoyable summer reading,' Flattery wrote to parents in a newsletter. ‘Libraries are stocked with thousands of new quality children's books published yearly, along with books that have stood the test of time. Summer is a good time to relax and read for fun.'”

She was an active member of the St. Paul's faculty and worked for its annual fund and St. Paul's Day, among other roles. She co-founded and directed an after-school program at St. Paul's Lower School, and co-founded and directed a summer program.

“She was a wonderful storyteller and a savvy teacher,” said her daughter. “She was also at the forefront of new computer technology. She taught us to be forward-looking and to be flexible — and to be open to new ways of doing things. She also taught us to be independent and not afraid to make a decision.”

For many years Mrs. Flattery lived on Dunkirk Road in Anneslie, where she hosted a New Year's Day open house. An accomplished cook, she delighted in feeding a full house.

She also welcomed her extended family and friends to General Sewell Cottage on Grant Street in Cape May, N.J., where she spent much of her time in the summer.

She was a past treasurer of the Burkleigh Square Community. She also chaired the ballet program of the Towson Recreation Council, headed fashion shows and Easter egg hunts for the Towson Jayshees, and chaired events at Maryvale Preparatory and Stoneleigh elementary schools. She was a past co-president of the Notre Dame Preparatory School Parents Club and worked to foster minority participation in parent activities.

She was also a member and volunteer of St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary and served on the board of the Baltimore Symphony Associates. She was a past treasurer of the Symphony Home for the Holidays and Decorators' Show House.

Mrs. Flattery was a founding member of Eagles Nest Country Club and belonged to the Baltimore Country Club.

She was the 2006 recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award at Towson University and received the Dean's Recognition Award from its College of Education.

Her husband of 53 years, William M. “Bill” Flattery, an employee benefits consultant, died in 2015.

She was a member of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church on Calvert Street.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the St. Paul School chapel, 11152 Falls Road in Brooklandville.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include two other daughters, Catherine “Cathy” Flattery Favo of Oakmont, Pa., and Patricia Flattery Newton of Timonium; two sisters, Phyllis Beardmore of Severna Park and Babs O' Neal of Ridgecrest, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.

jacques.kelly@baltsun.com