Obituary of Elizabeth M Doherty

Elizabeth M. Doherty, a woman with a deep Catholic faith passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.  She was 96 years old.  Elizabeth was born in Arlington. She was one of 5 children born to Felix and Helen McGurl.  Her strong faith in God was instilled upon her from her parents and growing up attending St Agnes in Arlington.  After graduating from Arlington High School, Class of 1942, she worked for a number of years as an operator at the A & P grocery chain.  She married her husband, John F. Doherty, in 1949 and they settled in Woburn in 1951 to raise their family.  She was a devoted and caring mother to her 5 children.  Living to the age of 96 has given Elizabeth many reasons to be thankful.  The most significant for Elizabeth was seeing her family continually grow with the births and marriages of 18 grandchildren and then 24 great grandchildren.  There were countless family celebrations, weddings, holidays, and family gatherings where she would gaze upon her family and thank her God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon her. Her family will remember days spent at Moody Beach and Ogunquit, Boston College football games, especially seeing Doug Flutie leading BC in his memorable Senior year, and just sharing time with her at the kitchen table

Elizabeth’s Catholic faith has always been strong and steadfast.  She has been a faithful parishioner of Saint Anthony Church for over 60 years.   She was a member of the Saint Anthony’s Sodality and church choir.  She had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and regularly prayed her rosary.  She was a longtime member of the Third Order of Mary.  She attended their monthly meetings after mass where they discussed scripture and prayed the Rosary and Devine Mercy Chaplet.  She lived her faith in her daily life.  She could knit, crochet and sew.  She sewed countless vestments for her and friends Infant Jesus of Prague statues that they displayed in their homes.  She also made many pilgrimages to shrines with her girlfriends.  Her family is confident that all Elizabeth’s faith, hope, and prayers have now been answered as she meets her savior in heaven.

Elizabeth was the beloved wife of the late John F. Doherty. She was the loving mother of Dennis M. Doherty & his wife Joan of Woburn, Marie DiFelice & her husband Andrew of Tewksbury, Carol L. Nagle of Woburn, Kevin F. Doherty & his wife Judy of NY, and the late John C. Doherty.  She was predeceased by her siblings; Marion Lisheness, James, George & John McGurl.  Proud grandmother of Brian Doherty & his wife Katherine, Denny Doherty & his wife Katie, Matt Doherty & his wife June, Andrew DiFelice, Marc DiFelice & his wife Jacqui, Melissa Gaffney & her husband Joe, Amy Cardillo & her husband Ron, Michelle DiFelice, Amanda DiFelice, James Nagle & his wife Dani, Bobby Nagle, Michael Nagle & his wife Caitlin, Stephen Nagle, Philip Nagle, Kevin Doherty & his wife Michelle, Aimee Doherty, Daniel Doherty and Kara Doherty.    Elizabeth was also survived 24 great grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, Debra Nelson of Lynn, and many nieces and nephews.

   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 Friday, Dec. 20 from 4-7 p.m.  Funeral from the Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony Church, 851 Main St., Woburn at 10 a.m.  Burial in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Elizabeth’s name may be made to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02118   www.rosiesplace.org  For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.woburncatholic.org