Mara F. Flaherty

Born in Palmer, Massachusetts, Mara was the daughter of Dr. James R. and Kathryn M. Flaherty. She graduated from Palmer High School, Springfield Technical Community College (earning a degree in Respiratory Therapy), Florida Atlantic University (earning a degree in Nursing, graduated magna cum laude, and becoming a Registered Nurse), and Florida State University (becoming a Physician Assistant).

Mara was an administrator in health care and rehabilitation facilities in Massachusetts before relocating to Florida where she worked Merritt Island, Titusville, Palm Bay, Vero Beach and served as a Physician Assistant in Vero Beach as well as Sebastian River Hospital.

Mara loved her country and was proud to serve in the Army for 5 years. Mara was honored to be a member of Post 394 of the American Legion, Bayside Lake in Palm Bay, Florida.

As a member of the Saint Sebastian Church on Route 1 in Sebastian, Florida Mara contributed to the folk masses by playing many different instruments (guitar, flute, and trumpet) and had a strong, beautiful singing voice, which allowed her to share her faith-filled spirit with the community.

As a strong believer in education and supporting others, Mara taught Breast Cancer Awareness classes and served as faculty for Eastern Community College in Palm Bay, where she tutored medical students.

Mara was well known for her witty retorts, sociability, and extremely high standards. She loved community activities and always sought out opportunities to make a difference, while helping others. She was determined, hardworking, motivated, the consummate professional-maintaining high standards for herself and those she helped prepare for a career in medicine. She remained dedicated to her profession, its tenets and values until the very end. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her and whose lives she has forever changed.

She is survived by Cara M. Flaherty of Palm Bay, Florida, Tara K. Bellefleur of South Windsor, Connecticut, Brenden J. Flaherty of New Hampshire, James S. Flaherty of Rockville Centre, New York, Noelle K. Bellefleur of Springfield Massachusetts, Thomas R. Flaherty of Rockville Centre, New York, as well as her beloved shih-tzu, Panda Flaherty-Webb.

Mara was pre-deceased by her parents, Dr. James R. and Kathryn M. Flaherty, her brothers-Thomas J. Flaherty and Kevin J. Flaherty, as well as her dear pets -Ginger Flaherty-Webb and Renia Flaherty-Webb.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 7, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909. The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 11:00 am at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 13075 US-1, Sebastian, Florida 32958. Interment will be at Fountainhead Memorial Park.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Breast Cancer Association: breastcancer.org