Anne Evelyn Flaherty (Elsden), of Milton and Westford, MA, entered eternal rest on September 26, in Bonita Springs, Florida, surrounded by her loving family, at age 91.

A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, she guided her family with faith, compassion, and generosity. Survived by her beloved spouse of nearly 70 years, Joseph Sr., her 8 children, Linda, Joseph Jr., Gerard, Ellen, Eileen, Anne, Brian, Mark, and their spouses, her sister Virginia Kelley, brothers Kevin and Brian Elsden, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She was loved by many and held dear by all.

Evelyn, as she was known in her early years, was born on September 12, 1930 to Ann and Francis Elsden of Milton. She attended Milton High School, where she was captain of the field hockey team and made several lifelong friends, graduating in 1948. She continued her education at Hickox Secretarial School, which she leveraged into future senior executive assistant positions at Stop and Shop and MIT. In 1952, she married the love of her life, Joseph B. Flaherty Sr., and together they raised their family in Milton, surrounded and supported by their extended families and many close friends. She and Joseph also lived in Lexington and Boston.

Evelyn was an avid gardener, a voracious reader and loved the Red Sox and Patriots. She read the newspapers every day, and it was always a joy to discuss current events with her. She enjoyed traveling throughout New England, in addition to family trips to California, Texas, Ireland, Austria and the Canadian Rockies. She loved Cape Cod in the summer, ice skating and cross-country skiing in winter, but her greatest joy was celebrating family milestones and holidays with her treasured loved ones.

Evelyn was also known as Anne to her work friends and Nana to her closest family members. Appropriately, the name Evelyn means “beauty” and “radiance”. She was truly a bright light in the lives of all who knew her. She always had a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face, and possessed a keen sense of humor. She loved to laugh and have fun. She had an enduring love of God, that guided her through her life, in good times and difficult times, setting an example of faith, love and determination for her entire family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Tuesday October 5 at 10:30 AM. Family and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Monday from 3-7 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Anne’s name to LIFE (Living Independently Forever), a Cape Cod nonprofit that provides care for disabled adults. LIFE has assisted the Flaherty family for many years. The address is: LIFE Main Office, 550 Lincoln Road Extension, Hyannis, MA 02601

In light of the on going health situation, we respectfully request all attendees be fully vaccinated and wear a face mask.

To watch the mass by livestream, please go to: https://vimeo.com/620260860