Nataliya O. Flannery

Nataliya Oleksandrivna Flannery, age 39, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Agrace HospiceCare after a valiant battle with stomach cancer (linitis plastica).  She was born on July 6, 1978, in Balashivka, Ukraine, the daughter of Olexandr and Mariya (Homonyuk) Prus. She grew up in the village of Berezne, Ukraine where in her youth she excelled at singing and dancing. She graduated from Lesya Ukrainka University in Lutsk with a Master’s in Education and Translation. Nataliya worked as a teacher of German in the Berezne Lyceum where her parents were teachers for one year. She met her husband, Sean Flannery while he was member of the Peace Corps in Ukraine.  They married on Feb. 7, 2002, in Madison, Wis.  Nataliya was a substitute teacher with Madison Metropolitan School District, Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty and an interpreter for UW Hospital, Care Wisconsin, Agrace HospiceCare, and Meriter Hospital. Nataliya was a devoted mother and wife who enjoyed spending time with her kids and attending their activities when she was not working. She enjoyed painting and other crafts that could showcase her creative side. She was able to travel over Europe, spending time in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg. She loved spending time on the beach and swimming in the sea.In March 2017, Nataliya was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer after three years of misdiagnosis by her health care provider. Initially she responded to chemotherapy, but eventually the regimen she was taking did not work as well. Nataliya changed cancer centers and began a new regimen of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in September 2017. Unfortunately at the end of September, the cancer had metastasized to the cerebrospinal fluid and nothing could be done. Even at the end, when the situation looked it’s darkest, Nataliya was confident she would pull through. It was this enduring optimism that defined her as a person.Nataliya was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Vasyl and Nadiya Prus; and her maternal grandparents, Volodymyr and Anna Homonyuk. Nataliya is survived by parents; her husband, Sean; son, Aidan; daughter, Emma; brother, Alexander "Sasha" (Veronica) Prus; father-in-law, Patrick (Marsha) Flannery; mother-in-law, Pamela (Connie) Tennant; nephew, Jonathan Prus; and many other family and friends.The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for all of their help in the last few days before Nataliya left this world. Also the family would like to thank Keller Williams Realty for all the support they provided since Nataliya was first diagnosed with stomach cancer. Her team members were gracious in arranging food for the family in the beginning and hosted two separate benefits to help pay for the medical bills for Nataliya. The family would like to thank St. Dennis School, where Aidan and Emma attend, for all of their support during these difficult times. The parents in 5K and 5th grades helped out with gift cards and helping with playground duty that the family was not able to make. Funeral services will be held at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 North 7th St., Madison, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, with Father Michael Vanderhoef presiding. Private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, in Monona. Visitation will be held at the church from noon until the time of the service on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family for the educational funds of Aidan and Emma.