Mary Ellen Flaherty 1940-2025

She was born Sept. 19, 1940, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Charles McCreay and Rose McCreay-Ferraro, and was a lifelong area resident.

Mary Ellen graduated from Chaney High School and then got her license in optometry. She worked for Dr. Kong Oh, M.D., at Eye Care Associates-Lee Eye Center in Boardman as a licensed optometrist, retiring in 2010.

Mary Ellen and her family were longtime members of St. Paul’s in New Middletown and founding members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

She enjoyed needling, rug making, working on crafts and gardening, and was an avid antique collector.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Shriners and the Order of the Eastern Star; she also belonged to a 500-shark card club that met every month.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 64 years, Thomas J. Flaherty, whom she married Feb. 4, 1961, at St. Brenden Church; her children, Timothy (Janet) Flaherty of Pickerington, Thomas (Jackie) Flaherty Jr. of Springfield, Kathleen (Jason) Jackson of Delaware and Kolleen (David) Crish of Cortland. She also leaves her daughter-in-law, Lynn Flaherty of New Middletown; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kevin Flaherty; her brother, John McCreay; and her sister, Peggy Moherman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, celebrated by the Rev. Stephen Zeigler.

Interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery.

The family requests any monetary donations to be given in Mary Ellen’s memory to Lions Club International, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Flaherty family.

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