Mary Louise Flaherty

Mary Louise Flaherty, 79, of The Woodlands, TX, passed away in her home with family by her side on January 20, 2017; due to a long battle of lung disease. Born in Malden, Massachusetts on May 22, 1937; raised in Somerville, Massachusetts, Mary Lou was the second of four children, born to George and Sarah Talbot. To her family, she was affectionately known as “Mimi” or “Ma’Lou”; as a mother, she was “Mum” or “Mummy” and to her friends she was “Mary Lou”.

On Labor Day weekend in 1955, Mary Lou met Roy Patrick Flaherty in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. They married on October 4, 1958 in Massachusetts after a three year courtship. After Roy returned from military service, they moved to Staten Island, New York where Mary Lou worked in the banking industry for several years until they returned to Massachusetts wanting to start a family. Between 1962 and 1973 she gave birth to five children.

Mary Lou and her family moved to sunny South Florida in 1974. As time progressed in their new tropical home and her children grew, her desire to enter the work force increased as well. She earned her realty license and began selling real estate in the late 70’s. Eventually, this proved to be a successful venture for Mary Lou, as she turned being an agent into being part owner of the real estate firm that she represented.

In the mid 90’s Mary Lou and Roy were retirees and “empty-nesters”. They found the perfect home in Palm Coast, Florida to retire, where they loved being close to the ocean and working in their garden. After a few years, Texas was calling Mary Lou and Roy, where they moved to be closer to family and grandchildren. Mary Lou spent the last 18 years in The Woodlands community where she was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and attended numerous outings with her senior pals. She was known to many as the “The lady with the pink cane”.

Mary Lou was a beautiful soul who was genuine, loving and sincere. If you knew her, you were lucky to be in her presence as she was honestly a true gift from God. She would give love unconditionally to those she loved. She was a generous lady and devoted to her faith. Mary Lou may no longer be in our physical presence; however she will forever remain in our thoughts, minds and prayers.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her father, George Talbot; mother, Sarah Talbot; sister, Susan and brother-in-law, Jim Zenus; and husband, Roy. Mary Lou’s spirit is carried on by her surviving brother, John and wife Rose Talbot and sister, Sally and husband Joe Panciocco; her five loving children and spouses: Susan/Bobby Beitzel, Maureen/Nic Simion, Kathleen Brown, Daniel/Audra Flaherty and John/Wendy Flaherty; nine grandchildren: Bryan, Michael, Jennifer, Lela, Matthew, Joshua, Erika, Chris and Ryan; four great grandchildren: Jordan, Madison, Aiden, and Keegan; and many nieces and nephews, not to forget her beloved dog Mozart.

Mary Lou’s wake is scheduled between 5-8pm, with the Rosary starting at 6pm, Thursday, January 27 at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Friday, January 28, at 11am; followed by a luncheon for family and friends in the church’s reception hall. Mary Lou’s burial will follow at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home at 1:30pm.