Elaine Flaherty, of Grafton, passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at The Lighthouse of West Bend where she had been a resident. She was 80 years old. Elaine was born in Chicago, IL on April 26, 1936, daughter of Thomas Rawlings and Clara Zelasko Rawlings. On June 2, 1956 she married Wayne Flaherty in Milwaukee. The couple lived in Milwaukee until moving to Grafton in the early 1970's. Elaine was a very active member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Grafton where she loved to sing in the church choir. Elaine also enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing cards, collecting sports memorabilia, gardening, sewing, crafts and traveling. She was a fan and shareholder of the Green Bay Packers, and also a Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls fan. Elaine really loved her dogs. She will be remembered as a generous, giving and caring person. Elaine is survived by her husband Wayne of Grafton, three children: Brenda (Mike) Eernisse of Grafton, Terry (Beth) Flaherty of Grafton and Linda Ruffert of Saukville. She is further survived by six grandchildren: David (Tanya) Eernisse of Saukville, Dr. Christopher (fiancé Dr. Kathryn Lilly) Eernisse of Des Moines, IA, Kyle (Hajar) Flaherty of Grafton, Patrick Flaherty of Milwaukee, Kelly (Ben) Croatt of Minneapolis, MN and Courtney (Jimmy) Ingman of Marshall, WI, five great-grandchildren: Ava, Max, Roxy, Cooper and Myles, two sisters Delores (Deane) Thompson of Cary, IL and Mary Ann Denning of Indianola, IA, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Gary Ruffert, six brothers and one sister. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 1st at 6 PM at St. Joseph Parish, Grafton. Father Dennis Dirkx will preside over Mass. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Parish Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, June 1st at the CHURCH from 4-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to St. Joseph Parish or the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus. The Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com The Flaherty family wishes to thank Dr. Kavita Sharma, the entire staff and team of caregivers at The Lighthouse of West Bend and Seasons Hospice for their exceptional attention and care they provided Elaine.