Alice Williams Doherty

HARWICH - Alice Williams Doherty, 87, of Harwich, MA, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, holding hands with Dave, her loving husband of 64 years.
Alice was born in Boston on November 3, 1936, the daughter of William and Alice Williams, and younger sister of Bill Williams. Growing up in Dedham with an extended family, Alice had fond memories of an idyllic childhood spent with her brother and cousins. Together, they enjoyed a variety of sports and outdoor activities, from baseball and football to lacrosse and skating on the Charles River. Alice remained active in sports while attending The Winsor School and Wheaton College, leading to her lifelong love of tennis and time outdoors, especially her treasured walks on the beach.
Alice and Dave met in the summer of 1955 at Snow Inn in Harwich Port over a glass of milk. Coupled with his blue eyes, Alice was most drawn to Dave's kindness and strong Catholic faith, something Alice attributed to not only helping her grieve the loss of her father, but also serving as the inspiration for her devout, spiritual life. They were married on December 26, 1960, and spent the next 64 years together in a life filled with love. After Dave served in the Naval Reserves and finished his medical residency, they moved to Harwich Port in 1965 and became a permanent fixture in their community and built lasting friendships.
In addition to her infectious smile, joyful laughter (and tears), passion for music, and love of family - especially her grandchildren - Alice will be remembered most for her devotion to serving her God through serving others. Alice's vocation took many forms throughout her life which illustrates the depth and breadth of her character: wife and mother; sister and cousin; Grammy/Mimi and Auntie; good friend and mentor; teacher and banker; eucharistic minister and lector; ECHO, Cursillo, and Pre-Cana leader and volunteer; and even as a governess for the children of Bobby and Ethel Kennedy. Alice lived focused on others, and will always serve as an inspiration for her children and grandchildren to follow her path of love.
Alice is survived by her husband Dave; their five children Kathleen (John), Claire (Mike), David (Laura), Bill (Karen), and Peter (Gina); their ten grandchildren John, David (Robin), Kate (Ben), Matt, Erin, Sara, Emma, Olivia, PJ, and Gianna; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bill and Joyce Doherty and their children Daphne, Tim, Alexandra, and Elizabeth; and her cousins, Kit, Anna, Geordie, Lee, Ellen, Toby, and Bill. Alice was predeceased by her parents, her brother Bill, and her cousins Bo, Perry, and DeDe.
We are comforted to know that Alice is in Heaven on a minivan-joy-ride with her lifelong friend, Peg.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the Harwich Council on Aging, through Friends of the Harwich Council on Aging, 100 Oak Street, Harwich, MA 02645, or online at https://www.friendsofharwichcoa.org/, or Mustard Seed Communities USA, 29 Janes Avenue, Medfield, MA 02052, https://www.mustardseed.com/.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 11, at Holy Trinity Church, 246 Main Street, West Harwich followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. The Mass will be live streamed at https://holytrinitycapecod.org/mass-confession-times/