Byrdean Catherine Flaherty

Our beautiful mother Byrdean Catherine Flaherty (Kerner), born in Sanger, CA on April 17, 1927, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023, at the age of 96 in Clovis, CA. Her friends and family called her Byrd, or Byrdie, and she was the heart of our family.

As a young child, Byrdean moved with her family to Fresno, where she would later meet her husband, LJ, on a blind date. They would have four children and be happily married 62 years. She was a strong woman who raised three boys and a girl with love and kindness. She was an avid reader who loved her cats.

She is predeceased by her husband, Leroy Joseph “LJ” Flaherty, eight of her nine siblings, and her parents August and Christine Kerner.

Byrdean is survived by her children: Jay (Gloria) Flaherty, Tim (Patricia) Flaherty, Robert (Terri) Flaherty, and Kellie (Bob) Helm; seven grandchildren, Bevin, Anna Marie, Shena, Mollie, Andrea, Michele, and JJ; 12 great-grandchildren; her brother Bill (Dez) Kerner; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be missed dearly. She left her family with countless memories, and she will be kept in our hearts forever. We are comforted to know that she is reunited with LJ and her family. We love you, Mom.

Her family would like to thank Jack, Anna, and Irene at Apricot Mornings Residential Living in Clovis, CA for their outstanding compassionate care for Byrdie.

A visitation for Byrdean will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, California 93720.