Laura Evelyn Flaherty

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Laura Evelyn Flaherty, a lifelong resident of Great Falls on March 21, 2023. Laura was born on October 17, 1931, at the Columbus Hospital. Laura recently moved to Olympia, Washington in December 2022 to be closer to family.

After High School, Laura graduated from Columbus School of Nursing in 1952. She spent one year at Mt. Carmel Mercy in Detroit for anesthesia school. She worked at the Columbus Hospital until 1964 when she started doing anesthesia at the small hospitals along the hi-line, mostly in Choteau and Ft. Benton. When her services were no longer needed in Choteau and Ft. Benton she went to work in the med-oncology and chemical dependency wards at the Deaconess. She retired in 1996.

Laura took up golfing in her retirement, and it became her passion. After her daily golf game, she would go to the Senior Citizen Center to play bridge or pinochle. She served on the board of directors there for over 10 years. During that time, she served as the president, the secretary, and the treasurer. She also volunteered at the Benefis Foundation and the Benefis Foot Clinic up until she moved to Olympia, Washington. She read the tribune every day and took out the obituaries if they mentioned Benefis and took them to the foundation weekly.

Laura loved to travel and went all over the world. In 1972 she even went to Russia for an anesthesia seminar.

She is survived by her daughter, Alice Sanchez, of Olympia Washington; son, Andy Flaherty of Spokane Washington; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Please join us for a celebration of life ceremony that will be held on July 15, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church (5300 9th Avenue South). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.