Alice Marie Flaherty

SOUTH PORTLAND - Alice Marie Flaherty, 96, formerly of Plymouth Road South Portland, died Wednesday October 2, 2013 at Pine Point Nursing Center. She was born in Portland a daughter of Patrick H. and Annie C. Fitzmaurice Shannon. Alice attended St. Dominic's Grammar School. She was a 1935 graduate of Cathedral High School and a 1937 graduate of Northeastern Business School. While at Northeastern, Alice met her future husband John "Bozo" Flaherty. The couple married in 1944 following John's return from military service during World War II. Alice was fond of saying "My life began after I met John". Following her college days Alice was employed as a secretary at Porteous and Rines Department stores, Burnham and Morrill and at the Portland Chamber of Commerce. After she married and began to raise a family, she changed careers and began working as a teacher. She began as a substitute teacher at Holy Cross School. She later became a fulltime kindergarten teacher for several years. From 1966 thru 1975 the Flaherty family lived in Brunswick. Alice continued to teach as a substitute at St. John's School in Brunswick. When the family returned to South Portland Alice resumed teaching as a substitute at Holy Cross School and occasionally at St. Patrick's School, fully retiring in her mid-70's. In 1958, the Flaherty's purchased a summer cottage on Peaks Island. Alice loved the island and the beach as well as the many friends she spent time with. Alice and John loved to travel. They visited Ireland twice and made a trip to London. They enjoyed cruises in the Caribbean and one special cruise to Alaska. The Flaherty's also enjoyed Maine Line Tours especially the "Mystery Tours". Alice enjoyed people and she and John were often the life of the party. They loved to dance and Alice was fond of telling stories with a hint of Irish wit, charm and humor. Alice enjoyed movies and attending area plays with her lifelong friends. Alice was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church. She was a member of the Sodality and was an active member of the Daughters of Isabella. She enjoyed the activities at the South Portland Community Center including exercise, swimming and playing bridge. Alice love of learning continued her entire life. She was member of the South Portland Library and was considered a voracious reader. She enjoyed Irish history, novels and read the newspaper daily until last week. She was predeceased by her beloved husband John in 2002; three daughters, Jean Rosanna in 1947, Margaret Mary in 1948 and Helen in 2007; a son, Daniel John in 1957; four sisters, Margaret J. Carr, Helen S. Cole, Grace Ridge Elliott, Mary A. Shannon; two brothers, Richard and Joseph Shannon. Survivors include a daughter Alicia E. Flaherty and husband Richard B. Orelup, Jr. of South Portland; her beloved granddaughter Margaret Flaherty Orelup of South Portland; four nieces, Ruth A. Libby, Patricia Ridge Pacillo, Nancy Cole Ray, Marcia Ridge Brown; nephew, Richard Shannon; all the Flaherty nieces and nephews; two sisters-in- law, Anne Flaherty Stone of Portland, Marjorie L. Flaherty of Old Orchard Beach and Florida; several great nieces and great nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the people at Scarborough Terrace on the Rose Garden Unit for the friendship and compassionate care and the staff at Pine Point Center of Nursing for their loving care and compassion during Alice's stay with them. Visitation will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday October 4, 2013 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Conroy-Tully Crawford followed by an 11:00a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those desiring may make donations in Alice's memory to: Helen J. Flaherty Scholarship Fund at South Portland High School, 637 Highland Ave., South Portland, Maine 04106 or Catherine McAuley Scholarship Fund, 631 Stevens Ave., Portland, Maine 04103.Online condolences may be expressed below.