Marilyn Ann O'Flaherty

Marilyn Ann (McFarland) O’Flaherty died peacefully at home on March 3, 2016. She was born August 9, 1933 in Kankakee to Edward and Marcella McFarland. She attended Bradley schools and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in elementary education. She completed graduate work at NIU, ISU, College of St. Francis and Govervor’s State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald O’Flaherty in 1955. Together they had sons Jeffery, Mark, and daughter Heather. She taught for 25 years, most of that time in the Bradley School district teaching fourth and fifth grade, she created and ran the interactive learning center at Bradley West and created and led the art curriculum for the same district. After retiring from teaching in 1990 she started The Exploration Station…a children’s museum. That embodied her love of teaching through exploration and discovery. With the help of many volunteers and the support of the Bourbonnais Township Park District she continued to grow the museum until her retirement in 1998. After retirement she continued her community involvement with the Newspapers in education program at the Daily Journal. She was also very involved as the volunteer coordinator at The Salvation Army in Kankakee. She was a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Women’s club of Bourbonnais, the Minerva Club and several other organizations. She was also very active in her church. She was a 70 year member of the Bradley Wesley United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, served on many committees and edited the newsletter. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, travelling, playing bridge, and sharing her love of learning. She is survived by sons, Jeffery (Georgia) O’Flaherty of Keller, TX; Mark (Jill) O’Flaherty of Bloomington, IL; daughter, Heather (Bill Garver) O’Flaherty of DeKalb, IL. Grandchildren, Sean (Erin) O’Flaherty of Denver, CO; Lauren (Bryan) Benton of Ft. Worth, TX, Seth O’Flaherty of Ames, IA and Spencer O’Flaherty of Bloomington, IL, and three great-grandchildren. She’s also survived by three nieces, one nephew and their families and her brother-in-law Gerald Frechette. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, and her sister Janice Frechette. Memorial Visitation will be held 5:00 -8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Bradley. Rev. Julie Smith will officiate the service. A memorial has been established in her name for the Exploration Station.

Marilyn Ann O'Flaherty

August 9, 1933 - March 3, 2016