Deborah Joyce Flaherty

She was born January 21,1961 to the late Roger Flaherty and Joyce Hynson Flaherty. She grew up in Oxford, CT and graduated high school from Notre Dame Academy in Waterbury, CT. A highlight of her younger years was winning the Miss Waterbury scholarship pageant and competing for the title of Miss Connecticut, where she won the Miss Congeniality Award along with placing fourth runner-up. Always a high achiever, she went on to earn her BS degree in Nursing from Baylor University, her Masters in Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) from UNC Charlotte and the Carolinas Regional Healthcare System, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wake Forest University.

Deb began her career of serving others as a pharmaceutical salesperson. After moving to Boone, NC she worked as a nurse anesthetist for Wautauga Medical Center for 14 years. She then moved to Clemmons, where she worked as a traveling nurse anesthetist for Carolina Anesthesia Associates. Deb was an active member and leader in the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA). In her later years, she completed a doctoral program to become a nurse practitioner, all while caring for her aging father. As part of her program, she created a scholarship program to train CRNAs to become leaders in their field, a program the state of North Carolina continues today.

Deb was a ray of sunshine who always had a cheerful smile and encouraging word. No matter how she felt, she projected a positive attitude. Peace and love were her mantras. She was the kind of person who offered a helping hand to everyone she met, and she put her heart and soul into everything she did. From sending annual Christmas wreaths to family, friends, and neighbors to volunteering at church or political campaigns, her kindness and generosity knew no bounds.

After her parents died, Deb was the primary caregiver for her brother, Chuck. She spent countless hours bringing him to Special Olympics, church programs, and other activities. Her love for him and the sacrifices she made truly exemplified a servant’s heart. Along with Chuck, her home included her two fur babies, Daisy and Lili, who held a special place in her heart. Her love for animals led her to serve on the Executive Committee of the Watauga Humane Society’s Board of Directors for several years and become a lifetime member of the Society.

Deb loved the Lord, was filled with the spirit, and was deeply involved in her Catholic faith. She was very active in her church’s religious education programs, serving as an assistant Catechist and a Core Team member for the Edge program. Although her giving spirit will be greatly missed, we rejoice knowing she has been welcomed to Heaven with open arms.

Survivors include her brothers Roger (Cheryl) of San Antonio, FL, Dan (Rene) of Tyrone, GA, Ken of Clyde Park, MT, and Chuck of Clemmons, NC; 12 nieces and nephews; and 10 great nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, November 19 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Winston Salem. A livestream of the service will be available at holyfamilyclemmons.com, see direct link below.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Forsyth County (NC) Humane Society or the Knights of Columbus at Holy Family Catholic Church. You can also honor Deb’s memory by donating to the LEAD scholarship she created at ncana.com/lead-scholarship.