Irene Pauline Flaherty

During World War II, her father was in the Polish Free Army, recuperating in Scotland after being wounded at Monte Cassino, Italy. He met her mother, a Scottish nurse, while receiving care. They married and had a daughter, Sara, before Irene was born in 1949.

In 1951 the family immigrated to the United States where they settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Irene attended St. Michaels grammar school followed by Bunnell High School in Stratford, Connecticut, graduating in 1967. It was there she met her husband of 51 years, William Flaherty. Irene graduated from Central Connecticut State College with a major in elementary education in 1971 and received a Masters degree in reading education from the University of Bridgeport in 1974. She taught first grade at Honeyspot school in Stratford, CT from 1971-1978.

Bill and Irene were married on August 21, 1971 after they both finished college. During the next 51 years they had three children and moved several times; her favorite being to her native England where they spent 3 years which she cherished. They settled and raised their three children in Weston, Massachusetts where they lived for 25 years.

Irene loved raising and teaching her children and found a similar calling as her grandchildren began to arrive. She traveled and read extensively, was very fond of dogs and enjoyed long walks with them.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, and their three children; sons Matt and John, and daughter, Kate O’Bryan. She was also fondly called “Nan Poppins,” by her eight loving grandchildren; Isla, Frankie, Jack, Luke, Juliette, Charlotte, Vivienne & Kathryn.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society: www.donate.cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.