Sister Florence Joseph (Margaret) Flaherty died at St. Louise House, Albany, New York, on September 23, 2026. Sister was born on November 15, 1935, in North Andover, Massachusetts, and was one of five children. Her parents, Joseph and Florence Flaherty raised Sister in South Boston. After graduating from Archbishop Cushing Central High School in 1953, she entered the Daughters of Charity in 1958. Sister earned her BA in elementary education from St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1969. Sister went on to receive her master’s in religious studies from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1985.
After initial formation, Sister taught at St. Peter’s Cathedral School, Wilmington, Delaware; Astor Home for Children, Rhinebeck, New York; St. Joseph School, Holbrook, Massachusetts; St. Ann School, Bridgeport, Connecticut; St. Joseph Center, Oneida, New York (where she served as the Local Community Superior); St. Catherine of Siena School, Hillside, New Jersey; St. Joseph School, Harlem, New York; St. John’s Preparatory School, Astoria, New York; and St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Troy, New York.
Sister served in parish ministry at St. Agatha’s Catechetical Center, Canastota, New York; Roarke Center, Troy, New York; St. Patrick Church, Troy, New York; St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Troy, New York (where she served as served as the Local Community Superior); and St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church, Watervliet, New York while living at St. Joseph on the Hill residence, Albany (and serving as the Local Community Superior).
She then moved to Holbrook, Massachusetts, where she lived and served at St. Joseph Parish (2015 to 2018). Sister was missioned to St. Louise House in Albany in November of 2018 and served at St. Mary’s Corner in Albany. Sister joined in 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, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Charlotte Mae Barry of Hampstead, New Hampshire; several nieces and nephews; and her Sisters in Community.
A visitation and wake were held September 29, 2026, and the mass of Christian Burial was celebrated September 30, 2026, both at DePaul House, 96 Menands Road, Albany. Burial was at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York.