In addition to Flaherty, the contestants in the first-time event were Maryruth Kane, Nancy Granger, Mary Ellen Hammond and Maureen Sheridan. “They are all amazing,” said Chrzanowski.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Mary L. Flaherty was crowned West Springfield’s first senior colleen by the St. Patrick’s Committee in a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus recently.
The new senior version of the traditional colleen pageant an offshoot of the contests for young women of Irish heritage, held in towns throughout Massachusetts in advance of the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade where each colleen and her court ride on a float.
The regular competition in West Springfield was established 31 years ago, and Amie Chrzanowski, president of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and a coordinator of both West Springfield colleen contests, said it was high time older women got their due.
“We wanted to honor the women who do so much in town,” said Chrzanowski, adding that a senior version has been discussed for years.
In addition to Flaherty, the contestants in the first-time event were Maryruth Kane, Nancy Granger, Mary Ellen Hammond and Maureen Sheridan. “They are all amazing,” said Chrzanowski.
Flaherty, 74, has lived in West Springfield for more than 50 years. She majored in mathematics and education at Elms College in Chicopee and taught math in the Springfield Public Schools. She has volunteered for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, served as treasurer or the Soccer Association in town and works at the polls for the Precincts 7 and 8 on Election Day. She is also active at St. Thomas Church in West Springfield.
Flaherty has six children, 10 grandchildren, and was married to the late West Springfield Fire Chief John Flaherty. Her husband’s parents came from Ireland, and still retained their Irish brogue, she says. Flaherty, whose own maiden name is Lynch, also has Irish roots.
She described the new contest as a “low-key” affair, with the five contestants seated at a table before an audience of about 90 people. The three judges were all under age 30.
After the contestants were introduced with a reading of their accomplishments, each woman was judged for her poise as she answered a different question. Flaherty was asked for the most memorable election she had experienced at the polls. Her answer: The one with the casino question (West Springfield nixed gambling).
The women also had to field trivia questions about their community and all things Irish. Examples: “What is a leprechaun’s job?” (Shoemaker.) “Who was Town Hall named after?” (J. Edward Christian, a longtime selectman.)
Audience input was the third factor in the judging. “It was really a fun thing,” said Flaherty.
She said she was talking to one of her grandchildren on the phone the other day when the child asked, “Are you wearing your tiara?”
The Senior Colleen was crowned with a tiara and won a two-night stay for two at Irish Village, an Irish-themed lodging in South Yarmouth. She is also invited to participate in the West Springfield contingent of the nationally known Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 23.
The finalists in the regular West Springfield Colleen Contest, who also participate in the Holyoke parade, were narrowed down to five in January. The Grand Colleen and her Court will wave from a float.
Flaherty said she will be waving from a car—and wearing “something warm!”