Gloria Doherty

DOHERTY, Gloria Gloria Doherty died peacefully at Good Samaritan Care Center in Moscow, Idaho on Tuesday, May 17, 2005. The breast cancer that she had survived for many years had returned and, in just a few short weeks, claimed her life. She was 86. Gloria was born on January 23, 1919, in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She was the third of six children born to John Odom and Janie Jones Edwards. She attended elementary and high school in Moncks Corner and graduated with honors from Columbia College (South Carolina) in 1940 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. After teaching school for one year at Iva, South Carolina, she married the love of her life, Frank Luke Doherty of Charleston, South Carolina, in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 21, 1941. If ever there was a match made in heaven, theirs certainly was. Never has there been a more loving, enduring and faithful union. They were truly best friends for nearly 64 years. They had two children, Frank, Jr. (better known as Skip), born on March 3, 1943 and Patricia Ann (Pat), born on February 18, 1944. Their family began in New Orleans and, after Frank was discharged from the Navy, they moved to Charleston, South Carolina where Gloria spent her time as a devoted full time homemaker, and Frank went to work for the railroad. When Skip and Pat were old enough to start school, she joined them as the head of the food service at Assumption Catholic School in Jacksonville, Florida. A few years later, when Frank was transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio, she took advantage of the opportunity to return to school at the University of Cincinnati and, in 1954, became a Registered Dietitian and a member of the American Dietetic Association. Shortly thereafter, Frank was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, where she began her full time dietetic career. After three years, the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. It was here that Gloria truly made a remarkable and lasting impact, as she touched the lives of so many at East Tennessee Tuberculosis Hospital. She loved her work and all the people who were a part of the hospital community, and they loved her. She especially enjoyed the close relationships that she formed with the patients who, at that time required long term hospitalization By 1966, Skip and Pat were both married and Frank was once again transferred, this time to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later to Chicago and, finally, to Detroit. Gloria continued her work as a Therapeutic Dietary Specialist, still loving every minute. After Frank retired from the CSX Railroad in 1976, they returned to South Carolina to live. Gloria, not ready to retire completely, went to work for Stouffer's Foods as a dietary efficiency expert, overseeing the installation or improvement of food services in many private hospitals and nursing homes around the eastern United States. Although they called many different places home, they never wanted for loving and enduring friendships. In early 2003, after Frank was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he and Gloria very reluctantly left their beloved Charleston and moved to assisted living in Lewiston, Idaho to be near their daughter, Pat. In January, 2005, due to their failing health, Pat moved them to a care center in Moscow, Idaho where she and her husband make their home. It was here that Gloria spent her last few months, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and some of the most precious times ever with her daughter and her family. Gloria was a most generous and kind southern lady who lived to provide love, comfort and cheer to everyone around her. She was a very devout Catholic who always managed to be in Church with Frank on Sundays and Holy Days, even when they were off sailing to Florida as they did every winter for many years. She was a wonderful cook who often surprised family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances with something yummy from her kitchen. She was especially renowned for her famous "hula, hula muffins" which she shared liberally with many people from many different walks of life. She especially loved her large extended South Carolina family and looked forward to every opportunity to spend time with them. Her greatest heartache in life was the drowning death of her son, Skip, at the age of 44. She never stopped missing him, as I know many of us will never stop missing her. Besides her son, Gloria was preceded in death by her mother and father; two sisters, Hazel E. Howard and Clarice E.(Sis) Bradham; two brothers, John 0. (Johnny) Edwards, Jr. and William Russell (Bill) Edwards. She is survived by her husband, Frank L. Doherty, Sr.; a daughter, Pat Monger and her husband, Sam, all of Moscow, Idaho; a sister, Jean E. Gait and her husband, Tom, of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Skip's wife, Judy Doherty, of Satellite Beach, Florida; Sis's husband, Wilson S. Bradharn of Bonneau, South Carolina; Bill's wife, Dee Edwards of North Charleston, South Carolina; two grand daughters, Ann Preuit, her husband, Ryan and two great grandsons, Cole and Blaine of Ritter, Oregon; Laura Larson and her husband, Curtis of Boise, Idaho; and five grandsons, David Monger of Kuna, Idaho; Frank L. (Trey) Doherty III, his wife, Ann and two great grandsons, Tyler and Noah of Fort Meyers, Florida; Sean Doherty of New Orleans, Louisiana; Michael Doherty of Gainesville, Florida; Ryan Doherty of Satellite Beach, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. The relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 28, 2005 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will be at Riverview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to your favorite charity or to Hospice of the Palouse, 700 S. Main St., Moscow, ID 83843. Arrangements are by James A. McAlister Inc., 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.