Helen Marie (Flynn) Flaherty, affectionately known to her family and close friends as “Grandma Helen”, 101, of Cape Coral, Florida, died Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Hope Hospice House in Cape Coral.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 A.M., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating. Burial will be in Slater City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Born May 31, 1923 in Slater, she was the daughter of the late William Peter Flynn and Mae Regina Ryan Flynn. Helen grew up in Slater and stayed there through her high school years subsequently moving to Kansas City where she met the love of her life, Robert “Emmet” Flaherty. Emmet had recently returned stateside from serving as a Marine in the Pacific theater during WWII, joining several of his siblings who were living there. Helen and Emmet exchanged wedding vows in Kansas City on Saturday, May 1, 1954 at St. James Catholic Church followed by a reception at the renowned Hotel President.

Helen and Emmet had three children together; Brian Flaherty (Kitty), Maureen Flaherty, and Sheila Flaherty, all of whom survive her. Helen was also blessed with three grandchildren Seamus O’Dunn (Amber), Meghan Flaherty Younger (David) and Clara Flaherty and, most recently, with a great grandson, Ronan Younger. She is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews from her and Emmet’s side of the family, many of whom stayed close to her over the years and unfailingly helped her celebrate special occasions.

In addition to Emmet, Helen was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward Flynn, William Flynn and William’s twin brother Walter, who died shortly after birth.