Jean Marie Flaherty

Jean Marie Flaherty, né Deecher, passed away to her eternal peace on September 26, 2013. Jean was born in Troy, NY, on March 1, 1930 to William and Marie Deecher. She attended Catholic Central High School and the Samaritan School of Nursing in Troy and, upon graduation, worked as a visiting nurse serving homebound patients.

She married Robert James Flaherty on August 27th, 1955. Jean and Bob moved from Poughkeepsie, NY to Cary, NC in 1976. After raising six children of her own, Jean went to work at SAS Institute as a childcare provider where she created quite a favorable reputation. In fact, she is still remembered by many SAS families as “Jean, Jean the Dancing Machine” for her singing, dancing and Thumbelina finger puppet antics.

In later life, Jean’s kind, generous spirit and personality continued to manifest itself through the preparation of meals for needy friends and neighbors. But Jean’s culinary skills didn’t end there. She was also known for feeding her children’s friends and entire swim teams. In fact, it was not unusual to see several dozen hungry swimmers piling off a UNCW bus in front of her house on Bruce Drive in Cary, all with mouths watering for one of Jean’s famous spaghetti dinners.

Some of Jean’s other delicacies remembered by friends and family include Midnight Mass breakfasts, Saint Patrick’s Day Irish Stew, hot Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Meatball sandwiches, Texas Sheet cakes, Egg Casseroles, Pancake breakfasts and Chicken Noodle soup.

Jean was a very active member of Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Apex. She and Bob were among the church’s founding members and her involvement included the Brown Bag Ministry, the Eucharistic Ministry, Alter Linens Ministry and Eucharistic Adoration. In addition, Jean served as the chairperson of various committees.

Jean will also be remembered with great affection for her enjoyment of music. In fact, it was said that she always carried a song in her heart…and on her lips. Jean’s life was full, rich and complete, made even more so living out the cliché of never meeting a stranger.

Jean is survived by Bob, her loving husband of 58 years, children, Bob Jr. and wife Sarah, Mary Julia Heidepriem and husband Eric, Ann Marie Flaherty, Maureen Maughan and husband Kevin, Tim and wife Julia and Kathleen Cardoso and husband Cid. Also surviving Jean are her nine grandchildren, Bridget and Connor Flaherty, Leah Heidepriem, Amelia and Ava Maughan, Owen Flaherty and Alexa, Scott and Monica Cardoso. Jean has two surviving sisters, Mary Ann Manley and Susan Kelly and was preceded in death by her parents and younger brothers, Bill, John and Peter.

The Flaherty family will welcome friends between 6 and 8pm on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. A Remembrance Ceremony followed by a Funeral Mass will be held at 10:45am, Friday, October 4, 2013, at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, Apex. A reception will follow immediately in the Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Catholic Charities of Raleigh and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.