Elizabeth F. "Betty" Flaherty

Elizabeth “Betty” (O’Keefe) Flaherty of South Boston passed away on March 5, 2026. Born to the late Timothy and Eleanor “Berg” O’Keefe, she was the devoted mother of the late Beverly Rosati and her husband Anthony, Richard McArthur, Kathleen Flaherty and her late husband William Rizzitano, Thomas Flaherty, Karen Flaherty and her partner Philip Donaldson, and Bettyanne Lawrence and her husband Marc. She was the cherished sister of the late Timothy O’Keefe and his wife Helen, the late Francis O’Keefe and his wife Penny, and Lawrence O’Keefe and his wife Kathy.

Betty was the beloved nana to 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who meant the world to her. She often said that nothing in life brought her greater joy than being a grandmother.

For 37 years, Betty worked as a family advocate and social worker for ABCD in South Boston, where she tirelessly helped countless families in her community. She later became director of the West Broadway Task Force, a role she deeply loved. Even after retiring, she continued serving as a lunch mother at the Boston Renaissance School and sat on numerous community boards, always striving to make South Boston a better place. A true Southie legend, she gave her heart to her neighborhood and was loved deeply in return. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.