Irene Helen Flaherty

Irene Flaherty Obituary
Mrs. Irene H. (Anderson) Flaherty, 80, of Canton, MA and formerly of Franklin, MA passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 26, 2025 at the Hellenic Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Canton MA after a period of declining health. In death she is reunited with her late husband Paul B. Flaherty who died in 2011; her parents, the late William L. Anderson Jr. and the late Alice H. (Bernabei) Anderson; and two of her brothers, the late William G. Anderson and the late David G. Anderson.
Irene was born in Newton, MA, and graduated from Newton North High School in 1962.She earned her bachelors' degree from Boston College in 1966, and began her career as a second grade school teacher. Following her marriage to Paul and raising her young daughters, she returned to teaching as a substitute teacher for the Franklin MA public school system for many years, and earned her master's degree in education from Framingham State University (formerly Framingham State College). Later in her career, she was employed as a sales associate at the HomeGoods store in Milford MA and worked there for over twenty years before retiring.
Irene is survived by a lifetime of loved ones who will proudly carry her memory, including her two daughters: Karen A. Bell and her husband James Bell of Canton, MA, and Rachel Flaherty and her longtime companion Andre Ortiz of Brooklyn, NY; her 3 granddaughters: Veronica Grace Bell of Canton, MA, Sabrina Catherine Bell of Canton, MA and Alyssa Marie Ortiz of Brooklyn, NY; her youngest brother: Robert Anderson of Randolph, NJ; several nieces & nephews, and other family and friends lucky enough to have been part of her life. While her friends and family are sure to miss her terribly, they take comfort in knowing that she is free of her struggles and surrounded by love.
Irene had lived in Franklin, MA since 1978 and only recently moved to Canton MA for care during her illness. Throughout her life, she had many artistic talents, most prominently, her skill atcross-stitch, for which she once won the top prize for "Best in Show" at the Eastern States Exposition (also known as the "Big E") craft fair. She also made many other pieces, and especially enjoyed making "samplers" to commemorate and celebrate weddings and growing families.
Anyone who knew Irene also knew that she was a passionate collector. Her home, and her life, were filled with an endless array of things that brought her joy. But what she collected most relentlessly, and most effortlessly, wasn't figurines or antiques. It was love. And it didn't live in her curio cabinets, it lived in her caring nature, her eclectic personality, her quirky sense of humor, her wonderful generosity, and her everyday life. Irene loved whole-heartedly, and was loved in return. It is for this reason that so many are saddened by her passing, and thankful for the time they shared with her.
Visiting hours will be held SUNDAY March 30th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. The family invites you to consider wearing something red (either clothing or an accessory) and/or bold or silly socks as a tribute to Irene's love for the color red and her cheerful outlook on life.
Irene's funeral will be held TUESDAY April 1st at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Mary of the Assumption Church (in the lower church), 19 Winter Street, Milford, MA. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Heart Association, 93 Worcester Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or to The Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 320 Nevada Street, Suite #201, Newton, MA 02460.
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