Laverne Mae Bean Flaherty

Laverne Mae Bean Flaherty, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026. She was born on October 27, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Glen and Loretta Bean. Laverne grew up in Lincoln with her brother, Neil, and enjoyed time spent visiting family farms in Oconto and Davenport.

Laverne became a Registered Nurse after attending St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. She met her husband, Jerry Flaherty, at the University of Nebraska, and they married in 1955. Their children, Kevin and Janine, were born during Jerry’s Air Force assignments. In 1958, Jerry’s plane was lost at sea during a mission near Oahu.

Returning to Lincoln with her young family, Laverne completed her BS in Nursing before relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1961. She built a home in Cedar Mill and successfully raised her children surrounded by fields, woods, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She loved family trips to the coast, camping and skiing at Mt. Hood, and summer visits back to Nebraska.

Her nursing career spanned pediatrics, emergency medicine, urgent care, and healthcare facility accreditation. After retirement, she continued to travel and especially treasured time with her grandchildren and in Hawaii. She later moved to California to be near two of her grandchildren and volunteered with St. Bartholomew Church and the San Mateo County Ombudsman program. In 2012 she returned to Portland and became an active member of the Willamette View community, especially the Catholic Communion group.

Laverne is survived by her two children, four grandchildren and their spouses, and one great-grandson. Her deep faith sustained her throughout her life. She faced life with joy and shared that joy with everyone around her. Her light will continue to shine in the hearts of those who loved her.