Patricia Franchi Flaherty, 53, died Monday, August 18, 2008, at her home in Natick, MA after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was the wife of Paul Flaherty. Mr. and Mrs. Flaherty have resided in Natick since their marriage 16 years ago.
Originally from Weston, “Patty” was the daughter of Pasquale Franchi and the late Madeline (Corsi) Franchi. She was preceded in death by sisters Susanne and Deborah. Educated in Weston schools, she was a 1972 graduate of Weston High School and received her Business and Accounting degrees from Bentley College in 1976.
Mrs. Franchi Flaherty was the General Manager at Franchi Management Company, Inc., where she worked for over 30 years, and the founder of Ovations for the Cure, a non-profit organization she created in 2006 to raise awareness and funding for ovarian cancer research. A trustee at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since 1992, Mrs. Franchi Flaherty was instrumental in the formation of numerous research funds both at DFCI and in renowned medical facilities across the country aimed at developing early detection testing and better treatments for women with ovarian cancer nationwide.
In addition to her husband and father, she is survived by her sister, Linda Kacewicz and husband Jack of Warwick, RI; brother Louis and wife Deirdre of Newton; brother Michael of Sherborn; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley, Friday at 8 AM. Funeral mass in St. Paul’s Church, Wellesley, at 9 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Thursday 1-4 & 6-9 PM. Interment will be held at Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick for close friends and family. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Ovations for the Cure, 251 West Central St., Suite 32, Natick, MA 01760.