Bernadette M. Flaherty

Bernadette Flaherty (nee Pinto), 70, of Lavallette, N.J., unexpectedly passed away Friday, February 3, 2023. Born in Suffern, N.Y., she was a longtime resident of Verona, N.J., before retiring and relocating full time to Lavallette.

Bernadette completed her undergraduate education at Seton Hall University, followed by a graduate degree from Montclair State University, and completion of the Supervisor Endorsement Program at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.

Her entire five-decade professional career as a learning disabilities teacher/consultant was dedicated to the education of special needs children and the mentoring of teachers of these special students. She was an expert in early childhood preschool intervention. She completed her career as the assistant to the director of special services for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education, and she was awarded the 2007 Parsippany-Troy Hills Distinguished Educator Award.

As a mother, she was active in the Verona Parent-Teacher Organization, leading the committee for the implementation of the first after-school program, which was essential to working parents.

Bernadette had many interests: She was an avid reader and solver of Sudoku puzzles; she loved to travel (especially with her “Jewels” group); she practiced yoga, was a fast walker (some say sprinter) of the bay-front and boardwalk in Lavallette, and was quick to volunteer for numerous causes and neighborhood events. She was also the caretaker for her elderly parents and mother-in-law.

She was predeceased by her parents, Vincent and Mary (Molly) Pinto, her mother-in-law, Patricia Flaherty, and her son, Christopher.

She is survived by her husband, James Flaherty; her son, Paul Flaherty, his wife, Karen, and her beloved granddaughter, Allison Flaherty, of Verona; a sister, Pamela Koppay-Pinto and her husband, Ralf, of Basel, Switzerland; a brother, Vincent Pinto, and his wife, Susan, of Frederick, Md.; many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, cousins, loving nieces and nephews, and countless close friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Melanoma Research Alliance at give.curemelanoma.org in memory of Bernadette Flaherty.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, February 9, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd. Toms River, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10am at St. Pio’s R.C. Church 1100 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson, N.J. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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