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Mary C. “Bunny” Flaherty
Mary C. “Bunny” Flaherty, 89, died peacefully Friday, February 12, 2021 in
the Lahey Medical Center, Burlington surrounded by her loving family. She
passed due to complications following a heart procedure, one month shy of
her 90th birthday. She was “sharp as a tack.”
Mary was a long-time resident
of Oak Hill, where she had many dear friends and where they enriched
each others lives.
Born in Englewood NJ on March 20, 1931, on the first day of Spring, she
was the daughter of the late Edward B. and Mary I. (Malcolm-Smith) Childs.
Raised in Teaneck, NJ, she was the Class Athlete of Teaneck High and moved
on to play lacrosse at Sargent College (BU) while earning her bachelor’s
degree in physical education. After raising a family and moving to Ipswich
in the mid 60’s she worked for several years at Towle Silversmiths
Newburyport. Then her dream job came along, and she went to work as an
elementary gym teacher in Newburyport, from which she later retired. Bunny
was also a thirty-year fixture at Riverview Pizza in Ipswich, where she
remembered your name and greeted you with a joke. She is warmly remembered
for the soft spot in her heart she had for the kitchen workers, many of
whom considered her a second mom. She always said that one of her greatest
joys in life was working side by side at the Riverview with her daughter
Jean.
Her passion was sports and the competitive spirit. She loved going to and
never missed one of her grand children’s games. Bunny also loved to watch
her son coach and also enjoyed following the players on his teams. When Ted
coached Ipswich to a Super Bowl title in 2006 she was in her glory,
ecstatic for her son, the team and the town. Mary loved her church, the
Ascension Memorial Church in Ipswich. She was baptized there, married
there, and had the pleasure of watching her children and grandchildren get
baptized, and son and daughter-in-law get married there. Rev. Clark was
very instrumental in providing peace and religious fullness to Mary as she
aged.
Bunny also loved to knit. She was an avid reader and loved golfing and
bowling. She lived a full and happy life. Her favorite expression to live
by was “Oh Happy Day!”
She is survived by her daughter, Jean Flaherty of Ipswich; her son, Ted
Flaherty and his wife Leigh of Ipswich; her beloved grandchildren, Teddy
Mullins of Amesbury, Cally Flaherty of Gloucester, Eddie Flaherty of East
Boston and Patrick Flaherty of Ipswich and
her beautiful great granddaughter, Briella Mullins of ME. She is
also survived by nieces and nephews, Robbie Childs and his wife Carol of
NY, Heidi Bluteau of NJ, Jimmy Childs of FL, Connie Childs of NJ as well
as her cousins, Joan Williams of Ipswich and David Beckingham and his wife
Coralie and their daughter Emily all of Rowley.
In addition to her parents, Bunny was predeceased by her brother, Bob
Childs and his wife Helen; her former husband, Edward W. Flaherty; her
long-time loving companion, Frank Guerriero; her nephew Tom Bluteau and
niece, Lise Bluteau.
Family and friends are respectfully welcomed to visiting hours 4 to 7 pm
Friday February 19 in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street,
Ipswich. Due to COVID restrictions facial masks and social distancing will
be required. A memorial service and a celebration of her life will be held
at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may
be made to the Ascension Memorial Church, 31, County Street, Ipswich, MA
01938.
My name is Mary Barbara Flaherty. Awaiting my birth, mom was looking
out her kitchen window at a cute little rabbit skipping by and thought
‘our little Bunny will be here soon’. From the first time I wiggled my
nose I was called “Bunny”.
Though I was born in New Jersey, Ipswich has been
my home since 1966. I was a tomboy – very athletic. Never got asked to a
prom. A boy friend told me I was too fat and wore glasses, but I was the
first to be picked by the boys to join in a scrimmage game.
Thinking I was a pretty good athlete I went to
Sargent College/BU for the Physical Education Program. Those girls were
like Olympic Champions compared to me….a BIG come-down.
My life revolves around Ipswich. I shop locally
to support local businesses. My car gives me freedom. I call it “Grandma’s
Taxi”. My two kids, Ted, the football coach, and Jean, a Riverview
long-time employee are “townies”. I attend all football, basketball and
baseball games to watch my kids and grand-kids play.
I never travel except in my car. Once I made a
down payment for a trip to Italy ($900). Terrorists took over the airport
with machine guns (thank God). I have a terrible fear or flying….what if
the pilot has a heart attack!!
Love, love, love my apartment, family heirlooms
and family pictures. They’re everywhere from the Civil War to the present.
I love to cook (am always wearing an apron), I collect recipes, though
friends and family say ”No Baked Desserts” (I’m not a good baker). I enjoy
knitting, reading in bed (murder and mayhem), bowling, poker, bingo and
QVC shopping. Yes, I’m a late riser, but still always manage to put in a
full day.
M Flaherty 2013
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