Mary Flaherty

Mary C. Flaherty (1945-2024)
Mary C. Flaherty, age 79 of Farmington, passed away peacefully at home on November 26, 2024. Mary was born on July 11, 1945 and adopted at age 11 by her parents Christian and Mildred Lutz. Growing up in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, MN, she attended parochial school, eventually graduating from St. Joseph's Academy. After high school, Mary focused her time studying business and accounting at Globe College by day, and going out dancing with friends by night. Mary loved to dance. As a young woman she often attended "mixers" with her girlfriends. In 1967, to the tune of "Strangers in the Night", she had her last "first dance" with the love of her life, Don. They would soon be married and spend the next 57 years together, ultimately making their homestead in Farmington, MN. Mary and Don went on to have four children: Yvonne, Karen, Chris, Jim (Jenny). Though she loved her children dearly, her favorite role was that of "Grandma" and more recently, "Great Grandma." She treasured playing with and telling stories to her grandchildren: Jalen, Lauryn, Marcus, Rian, Nicholas, Christian, Ashlea, Leila, Billy and great granddaughter, Zuri.
Mary spent many years as a stay at home mom where meals and baked goods made from scratch were a daily occurrence. She could always be counted on to make angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream for birthdays, and decorating cut out cookies at Christmas. As her kids grew older, she decided to continue her education and obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree from Metro State University. She worked outside the home as an accounting clerk until she retired.
Mary's Catholic faith was important to her. She was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Farmington, MN, where she spent several years as a Sunday school teacher and Eucharistic minister.
Mary had a playful side to her that her family will always cherish. She will be remembered for her witty sense of humor, friendly flirtatiousness, infatuation with Australian firefighters, affinity for word find puzzles, nosey rubs, well-worn playing cards from countless games of solitaire (and "go to the dump" when the grandkids were lucky), and of course proclaiming she has the best looking family around ("I mean, have you see us?").
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Christian and Mildred Lutz. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Don; children: Yvonne Flaherty, Karen Giles, Chris Flaherty, and Jim (Jenny) Flaherty; grandchildren: Jalen, Lauryn, Marcus, Rian, Nicholas, Christian, Ashlea, Leila, and Billy; great granddaughter: Zuri; also by other extended family and friends.
Funeral service to be held the morning of December 5, 2024 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 22120 Denmark Avenue, Farmington, MN 55024. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Funeral service at 11:00. Interment: St. Michael's Cemetery, Farmington. Pallbearers include Marcus Giles, Nicholas Giles, Christian Flaherty, Billy Lally, and Jesse Hannes.