Irene Mary Flaherty, 70, passed away on January 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California following a brief illness.  Irene was born in Natick, Massachusetts on March 7, 1950 to Katharine Wolf and John J. Flaherty.  She grew up in Ashland, graduated from Ashland HS in 1968 and attended Worcester State Teachers College.  Irene moved to Venice California in 1974 working for many years at the Fish Kitchen on Wilshire Boulevard before she became a caretaker with the Los Angeles Parks Department. Irene loved the sun, the beach, and the California lifestyle.  She met many people and developed close friendships many of which remained loyal and caring through the years. Irene loved her cats, of which she had many, and also took care of the cats around her park. Irene is survived by her sister, Anneli Flaherty Fuller of Plano, TX; her nieces, Katharine Fuller O'Brien (Brendan) McKinney, TX;  Elizabeth Fuller Jackson (Kevin) Dallas, TX; Margaret Fuller, Durango, CO; her grand nieces and nephews, Aidan and Colin O'Brien;  Christopher, Caroline and Claire Jackson.  Irene had numerous cousins from the Flaherty family including Mary Hafford, Douglas, MA; Margaret Juhasz, Moultonborough, NH; and John Farrington Holly Ridge, NC.  Donations in Irene's name can be made to your local ASPCA.  Services will follow at a later date.