Mary Ellen Flaherty passed away peacefully at Copeland Oak, Assistant Living on Thursday July 24, 2025, with her loving husband at her side.

She was born on September 19, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of the late Charles McCreay and Rose McCreay – Ferraro and was a lifelong area resident.

Mary Ellen graduated from Chaney High School and then got her license in Optometry.

She worked for Dr. Kong Oh, MD at Eye Care Associates Lee Eye Center in Boardman as a licensed optometrist retiring 2010.

Mary Ellen and her family were longtime members of St. Paul’s in New Middletown and founding members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

She enjoyed needling rug making, working on crafts, gardening and was an avid antique collector.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Shriners club and the order of Eastern Star; she also belonged to a 500-shark card club that met every month.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 64 years Thomas J. Flaherty whom she married February 4, 1961, at St. Brenden’s Church, her children Timothy (Janet) Flaherty of Pickerington, OH.; Thomas (Jackie) Flaherty, Jr. of Springfield, OH; Kathleen (Jason) Jackson of Delaware, OH and Kolleen (David) Crish of Cortland. She also leaves her daughter-in-law Lynn Flaherty of New Middletown and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her son Kevin Flaherty, her brother John McCreay, plus her sister Peggy Moherman.  

A mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday July 31, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd. Austintown, celebrated by Rev. Stephen Zeigler.

Her interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery.

The family requests any monetary donations to be given in Mary Ellen’s memory to either of the following Lions Club International 300 W. 22nd St. Oak Brook Il. 60523 or the National Cancer

Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

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