May she rest in peace.
Tributes are being paid to an Irish mum and nurse who was tragically hit by a motorist and killed while on her way to work in a hospital.
Ann O’Flaherty, who was in her 50s, was on her way to work at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Centre in Boston at around 6.20am on Wednesday last week when the tragedy struck.
The mother of three had been living in the US for 33 years but originally hails from Ballintubber in Co. Mayo.
After being pronounced dead at the scene, tributes began rolling in for the late Mayo native as the news of her death broke on Irish soil.
Ann has left behind her husband Ray, who once played for Castlebar Mitchels, as well as their three children Roisin, Annmarie and Raymond.
Michael Duffy, who was a neighbour of hers back in Mayo and now editor of The Mayo News, told The Irish Mirror: “She had a positive influence on everyone she met and she was a passionate woman.
“It’s very sad, I’d know Ann’s family very well and I would have met her at home here and in Boston.
“The wider community would have great respect for her own family, here, the Morans.”
Ann worked as a nurse in the endoscopy unit and previously in the Intensive Care Unit in the Boston hospital, with her Mayo and Boston community now mourning her loss.
Castlebar Mitchels posted on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that the members of Castlebar Mitchels have learned of the tragic death of Anne O’Flaherty (nee Moran) in Boston.
“Ann is a native of Ballintubber and is the beloved wife of Ray O’ Flaherty. Ray played Senior and Junior football with Mitchels and is a fervent supporter of the club.
“Deepest sympathies are extended to the O’Flaherty and Moran families on their loss.”
A hospital spokeswoman, who said they were assisting Boston police and planning to hold a memorial service, added: “We are heartbroken by the news of this tragic accident and are providing support to the victim’s family and our colleagues during this very difficult time.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Ann’s family by a friend, but it has since been taken down.
A post read: “We are now pausing donations and will be using the entirety of the funds to donate to two causes that were very close to Ann’s heart — nursing and cancer research.”
