Ann M. Flaws

Berne- Ann (McCusker) Flaws, age 72, passed away at home on September 28 with her husband and son by her side, after a 6 month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Ann was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Josephine Hollister McCusker and Edward Charles McCusker. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Pittsfield, and the College of St. Rose in Albany. She taught in the South Colonie School District for nearly 30 years. She always said it was the best career she could have chosen. Ann was a parishioner of The Church of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette in Altamont, where at one time she taught religious education and was a Eucharistic Minister. In her retirement years, she enjoyed travel, reading, housekeeping, antiquing, socializing with friends, movies, plays, visiting museums, and spending winter months in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Mostly she enjoyed spending time with family, especially her two precious granddaughters. Ann is survived by her husband of 44 years, Donald Flaws; her son Thomas Edward Flaws; daughter-in-law Katherine Melcher Flaws; and granddaughters Maura Ann Flaws and Sophie Caroline Flaws. She is also survived by her sister Mary McCusker Smith and her brother-in-law Shaun Smith, as well as two nieces, Keyburn Grady and Heather Williamson. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward Charles McCusker, Jr. The family would like to express their thanks for the compassionate care provided by Community Hospice, especially her nurse Craig Suprenant, and also Jen, Barbara, Eve, Kim, and the countless friends and family who supported us in such loving and caring ways. Calling hours will be held at the Church of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette on Grand Street in Altamont on Sunday, September 30, from 4 to 7 PM. The funeral mass will be held at the church on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Ann would be honored by any donations made in her name to The Lustgarten Foundation, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797which performs invaluable pancreatic cancer research.