Maria T. Morizio-Flaherty

Maria Teresa Morizio- Flaherty departed this life on Tuesday December 29, 2015 in the loving presence of her family and friends. She made this world a kinder, happier place, having blessed us with her devotion, caring, wisdom, and generosity. Maria was strong-willed and full of life in all she did. She loved her family and friends deeply and wanted the best for everyone. Even as she fought cancer, Maria's concern was always for others and their happiness. Her home, like her heart, was open to all. She was an incredibly generous hostess and a fantastic cook. The organizer of countless parties and celebrations, Maria made sure we knew the joy of laughter, dancing and togetherness. Maria was born on October 24, 1956 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Filomena Astrologo Morizio of St. Valentine, Pescara, Italy and Attilio Morizio of St. Thomas Caramanico, Italy. Maria moved to the United States in 1960. She was a graduate of Windham High School and Central Connecticut State University. On August 30, 1980 she married the love of her life, Thomas Patrick Flaherty and together they had two wonderful children, Thomas Joseph and Alexandra Nicole. Jessica Magliocco Flaherty, Maria's beloved daughter-in-law, joined the family on November 16, 2013. Maria worked at Liberty Bank for 30 years, a career that she enjoyed and one marked by success. As Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager at Gateway Commons, Maria was named Branch Manager of the Year in 1992. Maria was named the 1995 Employee Volunteer of the Year and in 1998 her branch was named Liberty Bank's Branch of the year. But most important to Maria were the many lifelong relationships she made with customers and coworkers. Maria's devotion to her family, friends, and job was matched by her devotion to community. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and a board member of St. Mary's/St. Joseph's School, the YMCA, and the Downtown Council. She also served her community as a committee member for many fundraisers. In addition to her parents, her husband, children, and daughter-in-law, Maria is survived by so many others who will miss her indomitable spirit: her two brothers, Tony David and Robert Carmine Morizio; her sisters-in-law Kathy Flaherty Frank, Peggy Driscoll Flaherty, Paula Lucy Flaherty, Debbie Guinan Morizio, and Mary Flaherty; her brothers-in-law Dennis M., Billy J., and Shawn J. Flaherty, and Robert Frank. Maria was also blessed with many nieces and nephews: Erin M., Meghan K., and Kevin S. Frank, Kelly A., Jenny R., and Caitlin D. Flaherty, Amy, David Jr., and Patrick Duffaney, Carmine Attilio and Robert Frances Morizio. She is also survived by many cousins, aunts, and uncles in the U.S., Canada, and Italy. She will be missed by her many, many friends whose lives are so much richer for having known her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Maria's name to St. Mary Church, 80 Maple Ave., Willimantic, CT 06226. Maria's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday January 3, 2016 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195), Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Monday January 4, 2016 at St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St., Willimantic, with assembly at church. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .