Obituary of Doris Kathleen Doherty

Doris K. “Kate” (Collins) Doherty passed away at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center on Thursday evening surrounded by loved ones, December 5, 2019.  She was 78 years old.  Doris was born in Worcester. She was raised and educated in North Cambridge.  Doris and her husband James married in Arlington. They lived in Arlington for several years before moving to Burlington in 1981.   

Doris worked several part-time jobs in and around Burlington.  She worked at Thayer Drug, Market Basket and Surge, Inc. in Lexington/Wakefield where she retired as an Office Manager after over 15 years of employment. 

Doris was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She did everything in her power to ensure that her two children had the best of everything in their lives growing up.  She would sacrifice anything for her two children Kathleen and Kevin.    As a family, they would take road trips in the family station wagon to visit her mom in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   They enjoyed spending summers relaxing by the family pool in their backyard as well at the beach in Nahant.  Doris and James’s dream came true ten years ago when they bought a vacation home in Seabrook, New Hampshire.  It was like a slice of paradise in their lives. 

Doris was so proud of her daughter in law Suzie and most certainly treasured her grandchildren Gavin and Ronan. She embraced every moment with them making memorable moments.  If you saw Doris she would either show you pictures of the twins or tell a story about them.  They were truly her greatest joy.  

Doris had a unique ability to make friends and maintain many lifelong friendships.  She encountered a few obstacles and challenges throughout her life, but she never let them get her down, stop her or change her positive outlook.   Doris will be remembered for her cheerful, sparkly and outgoing personality who always put the needs of others above her own.

Doris was the beloved wife of the late James R.  Loving mother of Kathleen Doherty of Burlington and Kevin Doherty & his wife Suzie of Billerica.  Proud grandmother “Nonni” of Gavin Daniel Doherty & Ronan James Doherty.    Sister of Diane McSweeney of Tewksbury, Mary Paris of Marietta, GA and Donald Collins of Lynn.  Doris is also survived by many nieces, nephews and god-children.  Doris’s family would like to acknowledge and thank Gayle Green for the care and support of our mother. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Monday, Dec. 9 from 4-8 p.m.  Funeral from the Funeral Home on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 9 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Doris’s name may be made to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23453  www.operationsmile.org