Obituary of Mary Snee Flaherty

Betty Flaherty, 82 of Forty Fort passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 1st, 2025. She was born on January 22, 1943, the daughter of Thomas and Rose Snee. Growing up in Wilkes-Barre Betty attended Saint Nicholas Catholic school where she won a merit scholarship which granted her the opportunity to attend College Misericordia, graduating with a degree in History and Spanish. She substituted for many years in the Wilkes-Barre Area school district before becoming the Spanish teacher at G.A.R. Junior Senior High School until her retirement in 2006. Betty was a voracious reader and connoisseur of crossword puzzles which she did daily. She regularly defeated us at Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She enjoyed shopping, going to yard sales, Hallmark movies, Christmas, and chatting with friends. Betty was proud of her Irish heritage, traveling to Ireland several times. As a member of the Donegal Society she experienced trips to Cape Cod and Boston, being in the local St. Paddy’s day parades, attending the Donegal Ball and appreciating the friends she made there. Betty was kind and generous. She had a penchant for helping the underdog. She was our family go-to to give sound and thoughtful advice. Her presence and guidance will be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Patricia Hoskins, aunt Eleanor Sohnleitner and numerous friends. Betty is survived by her husband, William, with whom she was about to celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary this June, daughter, Erin, Forty Fort, and in-laws, Francis Flaherty, Wilkes-Barre, Martin Flaherty, Hudson, Joseph Flaherty, Hudson, and Michael Flaherty and wife Carol, Warrior Run, 7 nephews, 1 niece. Family dogs Finn, Seamus, Pip and Ducky will miss her cuddles. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00P. M. at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains. Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 p.m, officiated by Deacon Donald Crane. Interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp.