Sr. Mary Ellen Flaherty

Sister Mary Ellen Flaherty, RSM, 87, died on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, after a brief illness. Services: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at Sacred Heart Convent, by Rev. David Ambrosy. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Sacred Heart Covent, with a scripture service at 6 p.m. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Sister Mary Ellen was born at her farm home in Jones County on August 1, 1923, the daughter of Frank and Irene (Leonard) Flaherty. Her parents and sister, Catherine preceded Sister Mary Ellen in death. Survivors include her cousins and the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Mary Ellen graduated from the Anamosa Public High School in 1942, and from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids in 1945. She received her BSN from Loras College in 1950. Sister Mary Ellen entered the Sister of Mercy in Cedar Rapids on August 1, 1945 and made final vows in 1950. Sister Mary Ellen served as a Nursing Supervisor at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Oelwein and Anamosa. After retiring from her chosen profession in 1990, she did volunteer work at Mercy Medical Center and at the Catherine McAuley Center in Cedar Rapids. In 1990, she also started child care in private homes that she did for many years. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy at 1125 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.