By Betsy Levinson — Betsy@concordbridge.org
Tributes streamed in from co-workers, neighbors and townsfolk when the news of Carrie Flood’s passing settled on Concord.
Flood, 74, died on August 31 after a devastating cancer diagnosis, leaving a flock of family, friends, and co-workers with rich memories of her life of public service and personal warmth.
Her daughter, Malyssa Simard, said she was floored by the outpouring of shock and loss.
“The general theme was what a huge loss it was for the community,” said Simard. “I heard over and over that she embodied Concord.”
Flood attended Concord schools and was an active participant in youth programs at First Parish, among other activities.
As an adult, she was devoted to stewardship of the town’s future, serving as a member of the Finance Committee, Select Board, Board of Assessors, Housing Trust board, and as Concord’s representative to the Minuteman Technical High School district.
She served as deputy town moderator for 23 years. “She has always been, for me, the model of community involvement and civic service,” said Town Moderator Carmin Reiss.
“Carrie’s command and comfort with numbers was always impressive,” Reiss said. “We worked closely together. Her insights on all things Town Meeting were always spot on, and I shall miss her greatly.”
In her professional life, Flood worked at Nuclear Metals, Inc. for about 20 years before turning to the non-profit sector. She became managing director of The Umbrella Arts Center in 2003.
In 2014, she was hired as regional operations manager for Mass Audubon Metro West at Drumlin Farm. She worked there for a decade. “It was her favorite job,” Simard said.
“Half the people at her wake were from Drumlin. She was loved by people at all levels of the organization. One person wrote that their life was changed because she gave them a chance.”
At Drumlin, Flood “often said that she loved the location of her office because she could hear children’s excitement through her door as they arrived [and] then get to see their happy, tired faces through her window as they were leaving,” said Renata Pomponi, senior director of strategic initiatives at Mass Audubon.
“Thanks to Carrie, we have the processes and spreadsheets to continue on her administrative legacy, but we will have to manage without her positive attitude, good humor, and eagerness to help. The front office at Drumlin Farm truly won’t be the same without her.”
A tradition of service
Former Town Clerk Anita Tekle met Flood and her parents, Mary Jac and Dick, in the 1970s.
“They were well established in the community and very involved in the town and in lots of Concord non-profit organizations,” said Tekle.
“Carrie continued their legacy for decades, long after her parents retired. Both her professional career and her volunteer commitments all came back to Concord. She was capable, experienced, pleasant to work with, welcoming, inclusive, and tireless in her efforts with more than 20 committees, groups and organizations,” Tekle said.
“She touched so many people in her life here. Concord is a better place because of her decision to share herself with the community that she called home. She will be missed.”
Art Fulman served with Flood on the Select Board. In 1997, they joined a delegation to Nanae, Japan, to enshrine the sister-city relationship that endures today.
“Traveling to Nanae was a real adventure. We were staying in the homes of various Nanae officials and wanted to be very careful about observing appropriate protocols… While we all did our homework, Carrie was especially helpful in coaching us. I will, however, skip the details of Carrie’s participation in a lively karaoke session with our Japanese counterparts,” Fulman wrote in an email.
“Suffice it to say that we all had a wonderful experience back then and the Sister City relationship continues today, stronger than ever.”
‘Calm and patient’
Simard said Flood’s unflappable demeanor stood out in tough situations. At a recent Town Meeting, Flood stood in for Reiss during a contentious debate.
“She was not frazzled,” Simard said. “She was calm and patient, always with a smile on her face.”
One memory stays with Simard that taught her to respect all people. For three summers, when Simard was probably 10 to 12 years old, Flood packed up the car and drove cross-country.
“We’d go for three or four weeks visiting every state in the country except Hawaii,” she said, including all the national parks. “She wanted me to see everything and learn from everyone, no matter where we went.”
