Patricia Donovan Flaherty

On Friday, Oct 28, 2022, Patricia Donovan Flaherty died at age 92. Originally from Elizabeth, Basking Ridge and No. Plainfield, NJ, Patricia spent the last several years with her daughter in Monroe, CT.

Patricia graduated from the Benedictine Academy, where she met her lifelong friends. At 18, she and her identical twin, Mary Ard, were crowned the Toni Twins, and received a modeling scholarship at the NYC Barbizon School of Modeling. She went on to marry Gilbert Flaherty, also from Elizabeth, NJ and raised two children.

Patricia had a diverse career, retiring from CNA Insurance and then caring for many families, including her adopted ‘grandchild,’ Ashley McCafferty. Patricia was an accomplished cook, superb party planner, and generous animal lover.

Patricia will be remembered by her daughter Tracy Runko and husband, Paul, of Spotsylvania, VA, her son Michael of No. Plainfield, NJ, twin Mary Ard of Warren, NJ, and five grandchildren Dana Levine, Teddy Levine, Paul Jr, Allyson and Abigail Runko.

Family will receive friends on Saturday Dec 3, 2022 for a gathering from 10:15-11:00 am, followed by a mass at 11:00 am at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Scotch Plains, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Plainfield Area Humane Society, Plainfield, NJ.