Obituary of Mary Carol Flaherty

Mary Carol “Kerry” Flaherty, organist at St. Barbara's Parish in Woburn for decades passed away after a long illness on Monday afternoon at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was 74 years old. Kerry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and was one of three children born to Frank and Anne Richter. She grew up in Cincinnati and was a graduate of St. Ursula Academy in 1961. She went to the College of Mount Saint Joseph graduating with a degree in education. Seeking a new adventure, she moved to Boston and became a grammar school teacher for the Boston Public Schools. Kerry and her husband Frank were married in 1967 and they started their life together with a home in Woburn. They had 3 daughters and a son, so Kerry was quite busy managing their affairs and the household. For about ten years Kerry worked as a UPI Editor for the Woburn Daily Times and Chronicle. Throughout the years, she became very active in St. Barbara’s Parish. She started with teaching CCD and that progressed to involvement in the Bible Studies and minstrel shows. Kerry’s mother had taught her to play the piano as a child. Being a classically trained pianist, this lead her to train on the organ and she occasionally filled in for the church organist at St. Barbara’s. When the organist retired Kerry was offered the position, which she did for decades. She played weekend masses, holidays, funerals, and weddings. Being an organist was a special gift for Kerry and her faith. She strongly believed that the music at a mass brought the congregation together in a single worshipping community. More so, that song and music sets the tone and spirituality for the particular celebration; whether it be a wedding, funeral, or Sunday mass and her contribution to a service was her way of sharing and professing her Catholic faith. In the later years, Kerry became a lecturer for the Saturday mass. Kerry had a number of interests outside the church as well. She was involved in her community as a very active part of the Woburn Lion's Club. She participated in charitable events, activities, and socials. She gave piano lessons in her home for children and adults. She loved to travel with her husband, Frank, and friends. She has taken all sorts of trips including Bermuda, Ireland, Florida and numerous Caribbean cruises and has visited most of the Caribbean islands. Kerry embraced life, gave of herself to her church, community, and especially her family. Knowing that she has reunited with her husband who passed away last August gives the family a sense of comfort and peace. Kerry was the beloved wife for 50 years of the late Francis J. Flaherty. She was the loving mother of Anne Flaherty of Amherst, Sean Flaherty and his wife Inge of San Diego, CA, Karen Morse and her husband George of Hampstead, NH, and Kelly Flaherty of Shelburne Falls. She was the sister of Frances Ann Welsh of Columbus, OH and the late Paul Richter. She was the proud grandmother of Miette and Ivysong Flaherty Muller, Conorrhys Flaherty, Sequoia, Jaden, and Raia LeBreux, Michaella Morse, and the late Austin and Dyllan Morse. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday Feb. 23, from 4:00-7:30 PM. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday at 9:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Barbara's Church, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The burial will be private. Memorials in Mary Carol’s name may be made to Food For The Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL, 33073 www.Foodforthepoor.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.stbarbaraparish.org 0r www.sullivanfuneralhome.net