Sister Florence Joseph Flaherty, DC, 90

Sister Florence Joseph Flaherty, DC, 90

Sister Florence Joseph (Margaret) Flaherty died at St. Louise House in Albany on Sept 23. Sister Florence was born on Nov. 15, 1935, in North Andover, Mass., and was one of five children. Her parents, Joseph and Florence Flaherty, raised her and her siblings in South Boston. After graduating from Archbishop Cushing Central High School in 1953, she entered the Daughters of Charity in 1958. Sister earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., in 1969, and her master’s in religious studies from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1985.

After initial formation, she taught at St. Peter’s Cathedral School in Wilmington, Del.; Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck; St. Joseph School in Holbrook, Mass.; St. Ann School in Bridgeport, Conn.; St. Joseph Center in Oneida (where she served as the Local Community Superior); St. Catherine of Siena School in Hillside, N.J.; St. Joseph School in Harlem; St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria, N.Y.; and St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Troy (1987-90).

Sister served in parish ministry at St. Agatha’s Catechetical Center in Canastota; the Roarke Center in Troy; St. Patrick’s Church in Troy; St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Troy (where she served as the Local Community Superior); and St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church in Watervliet, while living at the St. Joseph on the Hill residence in Albany (and serving as the Local Community Superior). 

She then moved to Holbrook, Mass., where she lived and served at St. Joseph Parish (2015-18). Sister was missioned to St. Louise House in Albany in November of 2018 and served at St. Mary’s Corner in Albany. She joined the Ministry of Prayer in 2023, serving there until the time of her death.

Sister is preceded in death by her parents and three of her siblings. She is survived by her sister, Joan Harty of Barr, Mass.; sister-in-law, Charlotte Mae Barry of Hampstead, N.H.; several nieces and nephews; and her Sisters in Community.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 30 at DePaul House in Albany. Burial was at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.