Mariam Cecelia Flaherty

Mariam Cecelia Flaherty

Fairfax

Mariam Cecelia Flaherty, 89 of Fairfax, passed away peacefully in her home with her family at her side on Dec. 4, 2022, on her 89th birthday. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Friday at St. John XXIII Catholic Church by Rev. Richmond Dzekoe. Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery, Fairfax. A Rosary will be recited with a Vigil Service to follow at 3 p.m. on Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home. Those not attending the rosary and vigil services may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and after 9 a.m. on Friday at the church.

Mariam was born on Dec. 4, 1933, to William E. and Clara (Ryan) McElligott in rural Monti, Iowa. She enjoyed country life with her beloved brothers and sisters, though it wasn’t easy, and she liked to tell stories about their adventures together. Mariam graduated from Coggon High School in 1951, and earned her Nursing degree from Mt. Mercy College in 1953. In 1957, Mariam wed Richard “Dick” Thomas Flaherty in Ryan.

Dick and Mariam settled in Fairfax, near Dick’s family farm, where Mariam raised her four children and lived a full life in the Fairfax community; she directed Religious Education at St. Patrick’s for 25 years, dined and danced with friends at the American Legion Hall, visited with her many close neighbors, and often spoiled her grandchildren with trips to the Dairy Treat. Mariam also enjoyed being in her home, the site of so many gardening and crafting projects. She was a good listener, even-tempered, rarely in a rush, and had a sense of humor all her own. In short, you couldn’t keep better company than Mariam.

Mariam is survived by her children, Tom (Sue) Flaherty of Cedar Rapids, Jim (Dianne) Flaherty of Fairfax, Mike (Denise) Flaherty of Fairbank, and Kathy (Kevin) Fowler of Eden Prairie, Minn.; brothers, Don McElligott of Cedar Rapids and Leo McElligott of Des Moines; sister, Marge Bleakmore of St. Paul, Minn.; sister-in-law, JoAnn Kramer of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Tim (Caite) Flaherty of Cedar Rapids, Aubrey (Cody) Wells of Chicago, Erin (Matt) Riezman of Des Moines, Allison Collins of Cedar Rapids, Keith (Lindsey) Flaherty of Blairstown, Katie Flaherty (Matt Howell) of Fort Collins, Colo.; Rachel (Alan) Kane of Cedar Rapids and Ryan (Madelyn) Flaherty of Cedar Rapids; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who were dear to her.

Mariam was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Flaherty; parents, William E. and Clara McElligott; father-in-law James Flaherty and mother-in-law Alvina Flaherty; sister, Kathleen (Bob) Long; brother, Ambrose (Alice) McElligott; brother-in-law, Bob Bleakmore; sisters-in-law, Peggy McElligott, Marilyn McEachron; and brothers-in-law, Dr. Joseph McEachron, Jack Kramer.

A sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, teacher, neighbor and friend, Mariam took such good care of us all, and we will miss her dearly.

A memorial fund has been established in Mariam’s name to be used for her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.