Verna F. Harrahy

Fitchburg - Verna F. Harrahy, 85, a lifelong resident of Fitchburg, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024 in Leominster Hospital, after a brief illness.
Verna was born in Fitchburg, on April 24, 1939, the daughter of the late Frederick M. and Mary T. (Kelleher) Harrahy. She graduated from St. Bernard's High School in 1957 and St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. She later received her bachelor degree from Assumption College in 1972, and her master's degree in education from Fitchburg State College in 1976.
Verna began her nursing career in 1960 at the former Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg where she worked for 10 years before becoming an Instructor for the LPN program at the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School from 1970 to 1981. From 1981 to 1987 she worked as a nurse for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections before returning to the City of Fitchburg, as a school nurse, at the South Street Elementary school. She remained there until her retirement in 2000. As a lifelong Healthcare worker, Verna donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a generous act which will help future Nurses & Physicians.
Verna was an adventurer & avid traveler, and enjoyed many trips overseas, some of her favorites included Ireland, Australia & Iceland. She was a family historian, and was the first in the family to find and meet long lost relatives in Ireland.
Although she grew up an only child, she was loved by many. She leaves numerous cousins, whom she thought of as her brothers and sisters, and their children as her nieces and nephews. Verna always had so much love to share, when you were in her presence you couldn't help but feel special. She leaves a large network of friends, especially the group of "first grade friends" whom she cherished. She also enjoyed many other friendships from all aspects of her life, all of whom will miss and remember her dearly!
Verna loved helping others, and was a devoted parishioner of St. Bernard's and St. Anthony de Padua Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She was a member of the Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Friends of the Fitchburg Library, Friends of Coggshall, and the Irish American Society.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 AM at St. Anthony de Padua Church, 84 Salem St., Fitchburg. A livestream of the funeral Mass can be watched at the St. Anthony's parish website. https://www.stanthonyfitchburg.net/ A private burial will be held at a later date, in St. Bernard's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Fitchburg Library or to the Friends of Coggshall Park.
The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, MA, is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com.