Jennifer Flaherty

JENNIFER "Jenny" COLLEEN FLAHERTYAge 19 of Maple Park, IL, formerly of Winfield, IL, died suddenly, Dec. 3, 2007 as a result of injuries sustained in car accident. In an instant, a thousand other lives changed forever as well, because Jenny was one of those people whose smile alone, touched your heart and you were never the same. Her family and friends will gather Friday afternoon and evening to say goodbye to the "Jenny" they cannot keep and lift up the memories that will never die. Visitation will be held Friday, December 7, 2007 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn from 3-8pm. At 6:30 pm, Fr. Joachim Tyrtania will officiate a wake service, after which, visitation will continue. Her funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 8, 2007 at The Church of St. Mary, County Line Road, Maple Park, at 12:30 PM. Following cremation, a private family committal service will be held. MEMORIAL FUND: A memorial has been established in Jennifer’s name to fund a scholarship in her memory and to benefit other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Jennifer Flaherty Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information call 630-365-6414 or 1-800-8-CONLEY.BORN / EARLY YEARSJenny was born November, 6, 1988 in Naperville, IL and grew up in Winfield, IL where she attended Sandburg and Pleasant Hill schools through the fourth grade. The summer of that year, Jeff Ramirez married Jenny’s mom and in the same ceremony, gave Jenny a ring and a promise that he would always be there for her. It was sealed with promise he kept and a ring she treasured. In July of 1999, they moved to Virgil, IL and Jenny began fifth grade at Kaneland Middle School. Her first friends became best friends when she met Meghan Lane and later, Tabitha Kuti. Through the years that followed, many would join this "best-friends" sisterhood as Jenny progressed through the Kaneland Schools. She loved Volleyball and Track and the sound of her mother’s voice shouting "Run Forrest Run"! The Forrest Gump story had touched Jenny’s heart and her mother’s cheer always brought an extra ounce of adrenaline when Jenny needed it most. In her Junior year, Jenny began studying at the Fox Valley Career Center, and loved working in the Early Childhood program. Voted Student of the Month, Jenny was a natural with children in the program as well as in the community. The world’s greatest "nanny" and "sitter", Jenny’s energy and positive attitude were contagious and kids everywhere loved her. Jenny worked for a time at the Ben Franklyn store in Sycamore and at sixteen could be trusted with the entire store. In her Senior year, she decided to pursue a career in nursing and worked for a time at Mercy Center Hospital, Aurora as well as the Michealsen Center, Batavia. Earning her CNA certification through that program, she had a leg-up on her college ambitions and was currently enrolled in the Nursing Program at Waubonsee Community College. Always holding down one or two part-time jobs, Jenny was presently employed at Genoa’s Pizza, Elburn, but she never failed to find time for her grandparents whom she loved dearly. She is survived by her parents:Suzanne and Jeffery Ramirez of Maple Park, IL, Her maternal grandparents: Joseph and Elise Flaherty of Winfield, ILPaternal grandparents: Georgia and Ernie Ramirez of Henderson, TN,Two step-brothers, Jeffery M.. Ramirez, Jr. of Sycamore andJonathan M. Ramirez of Elburn; Several nieces and nephews:Michael J. (Wendy) Flaherty of Winfield, IL, John D. (Maureen) Flaherty of Lombard, Brian W. Flaherty of St. Louis, MO, Libby (Dan) Johnson of St. Charles, ILMark (Dee) Ramirez of North Aurora, IL;Several cousins:Emily and Steven Flaherty, Lauren and Ryan Flaherty, Jessica (Ramirez) Woods, Steven Ramirez,Sofie and Sara Johnson.As well as her god-parents:Rita Harris and John Flaherty.Gone to soon but no further than a whispered prayer, the "million dollar smile" that lit up a room here, will the sky from heaven. On her loved one’s darkest nights, Jenny will still be the star that leads the way.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 7, 2007 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn from 3-8pm. At 6:30 pm, Fr. Joachim Tyrtania will officiate a wake service, after which, visitation will continue. Her funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 8, 2007 at The Church of St. Mary, County Line Road, Maple Park, at 12:30 PM. There will be no pre mass visitation at the church.

Following cremation, a private family committal service will be held.