Obituary of Paula Jean Doherty

Paula Jean Doherty, a woman who loved caring for and enriching the lives of children, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Saturday afternoon, October 30, 2021.  She was 68 years old.  Paula was born in Eden, North Carolina and was one of two children born to James and Pauline Dishmon.  She spent her first 10 years living in North Carolina and Tennessee.   When she was 10 years old the family moved to Reading, Massachusetts.  She was a graduate of Reading High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Suffolk University.  She had worked for over 12 years at Sears in Burlington as a salesperson in the appliances department.  She enjoyed working with the customers and the coworkers who were like family.  But she left this position to explore her true passion, working with children.  She went on to own the Magic Unicorn Child Care Center in Burlington for 8 years, before starting her in-home childcare in 1990.  Over the years she has cared for hundreds of children between the Magic Unicorn and at home.  She was kind, nurturing, loving, and was a second mother to all her children.  Over the 40 plus years she has kept in contact with many of the families she served and has seen the children she helped raise have children of their own.  It was never work, but a gift to enter the lives of the children and their families and help nurture and enrich their lives.  

In addition to running the daycare, she was active in other endeavors. She helped campaign for local politicians, especially those who supported inclusion programs and children services.  She was also a member of the Fox Hill PTO, a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, and a supporter of the Boy Scouts which helped her son earn his “Eagle Scout” badge.  When she was younger, she traveled extensively visiting France, England, Peru, Columbia, Switzerland, and countless other destinations.  She loved the excitement of the Olympics and had the good fortune to be at the “Miracle on Ice” game when the United States beat the Soviets at Lake Placid during the 1980 Olympic Games to win the Gold medal.  She was a“Giver” who gave herself to her family, friends, children, and strangers in need with a heart of gold.  She was filled with love and the community has lost a very special woman with Paula’s passing. 

Paula was the beloved wife of 37 years of Thomas W. Doherty.  She was the loving and supportive mother of Blake Doherty of Burlington.  She was the sister of Charles Dishmon of Templeton, Kim Dishmon of Westford, and Eric Dishmon of Crested Butte, CO.  

AT Paula’s request, the funeral services were private.  Memorials in her name may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, www.childrenhospital.org, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215