Johanna was born September 6, 1938, in Philadelphia, PA, the older daughter of Anna Feiler and John Donnelly.
Johanna met Paul Flaherty of Bath when she was 16. Paul was hitchhiking from San Francisco to Bath following his discharge from the U.S. Navy. Johanna was babysitting for the people who offered him a ride, and the two started corresponding. They married on June 8, 1957, and lived, loved, and laughed together for nearly 56 years. They lived for one year in Hartford, CT, while Paul completed his education at the Hartford Institute of Accounting. They moved to Bath in 1958, and Johanna considered herself a lifelong resident of Bath.
The first 10 years of married life were filled with babies and pets and friends. In her little spare time, Johanna was a reader, a painter, a baker, a gardener, and a member of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She was an avid quilter for over 40 years and was a member of a quilting and sewing group since 1983. She generously shared her creations with family and friends.
She also babysat for children in her home, volunteered with the American Heart Association, at Red Cross blood drives, and at the voting polls on Election Day. She never missed an opportunity to send a card to anyone for any occasion.
At the age of 48, she completed her high school education by earning her GED. She worked part time until taking the plunge into full-time work in 1987 as a clerk in the Sagadahoc Registry of Deeds office and then as the Deputy Registrar of Deeds. She retired on July 1, 2005.
Johanna’s greatest accomplishment was raising her family, and her greatest joy was being with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Whether it was baking with them, playing games, making crafts, or simply visiting with them, she wanted to be in the middle of the action.
Johanna was predeceased by her son
Patrick on January 26,
1993, and his death was the greatest sorrow in her life. She was also predeceased by her brother Bob in 2005.
She is survived by her husband Paul and six children: Margaret Carpenter and husband Rob of Topsham; Kathy Helming and husband Jim of Portland; Elizabeth Clapp and husband Tom of Fort Washington, MD; Michael Flaherty and wife Faith of Wiscasset; Mary McDonald and husband Frank of Georgetown; and Johanna Massé and husband Tim of Williston, VT. She delighted in being grandmother to Sarah Caron, Jessica Marr, Lexi Helming, Meg Helming, Michael P. Flaherty, Genna Herbert, Malissa Flaherty, Allison McDonald, Molly McDonald, Nathan Massé and Kevin Massé, and great-grandmother to Desiree, Cali, Rebekah, Caleb, and Andrew.
Johanna is also survived by her sister, Janice Cannon, and husband Bill of Philadelphia, PA, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Morse High School Scholarship Fund, Morse High School, 826 High Street, Bath, ME 04530. A reception for family and friends will be announced at a later date. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast, ME 04915.
Please visit www.directcremationofmaine.com to offer condolences to the Flaherty family.
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