Joan C. Flaherty

Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Thomas Flaherty, Daughters, Tonya Striedieck (Vince), Eileen McPhail (Malcolm), Dawn Evans (David), sons Michael Flaherty (Karen), Sean Rowe (Rachael), her sisters Janet Roberts (Art), Karen Hylton (Carl), Colynn Kinney (Dwight), Angela Watkins (Steve), and her brother David Berry (Vicki). Buddy Fortner (Divorced). Also, by 16 Grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her biological father Joe Colnar, parents Bill and Arcile Berry. Also, by her two sons Philip and Jeffery Fortner.

Although Joan’s love for family was beyond belief, Joan’s greatest love was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although suffering from the end stage of Alzheimer’s and couldn’t talk, I always asked her during my visits with her did she remember that Jesus loved her. She always grinned from ear to ear with a great smile. Her life demonstrated her love for Jesus. She had one of the kindest hearts of any person.

Born in Colorado Springs, she graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1960. She married Buddy Fortner (divorced) and had two sons. She also worked Civil Service at the Air Force Academy for a short time until the birth of her first son (Philip). She then turned her attention to caring for children. Going back into Civil Service she worked at Ent AFB in the ADC’s Directorate of information. Eventually she went to work at Shepards-McGraw Hill Publishing at the printing plant from which she retired when they closed the printing plant. Then she became the secretary of Central Christian Church for 15 years, of which she was a member all her life. She was very active in the church, especially the women’s programs.

She was a great mother, wife and homemaker. She loved camping and fishing. She called our camper our “home on the prairie.” Also, we took a trip to Europe (Scotland, England, and France) which she loved.

I cannot emphasize enough how much she will be missed until we all get together in heaven with her and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, March 23 at Memorial Gardens, Academy & Airport roads.

Service will be at 10 am, Friday, March 24, at Academy Christian Westside, 2002 W. Pikes Peak Ave, followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Reception to follow at the church.