Dolores M. Doherty

Dolores M. Doherty, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025. She had been a resident of Burlington for 50 years. She was 91 years old. Dolores's greatest legacy is the family she so lovingly nurtured, guided, and held together throughout her life.

Dolores was born in Malden in 1934, one of two daughters born to Herbert and Julia Daley. She enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in Medford and was a proud graduate of Medford High School. She met the love of her life, Ed Doherty, at a Halloween party while still in high school. Their romance blossomed quickly-they attended the prom together and were married when Dolores was just 19 years old. During those early years, she worked at New England Telephone. The couple began their life together in Medford, where they lived for 10 years before purchasing their family home in Burlington in 1964.

She poured her time, energy, and love into being the best wife, mother, and homemaker she could be. Dolores created a home that was loving, organized, and welcoming. She was the steady presence, the voice of reason, and the quiet strength behind everything. Her role extended far beyond keeping a household running. She was a cheerleader, motivator, counselor, nurse, and social coordinator all in one. She nurtured each of her children's unique personalities, instilled strong values and a solid work ethic, and allowed them to pursue their passions and dreams. Even as her children grew into adulthood, she remained just a phone call away-always ready with a sympathetic ear, wise guidance, or the perfect words at the right time. Dolores found joy in everyday moments, and lived her life with grace, humor, and love.

A place especially close to Dolores's heart was Sebago Lake. Beginning in the 1950s, she and her family spent their summers there, renting for many years before the family came together to purchase a beloved cottage on the Sebago shore in 1988. Summer days were filled with swimming, boating, and long conversations on the beach, while evenings brought cookouts, games, and laughter shared with those she loved most. Dolores had a spirited and competitive side-she adored board games, especially Scrabble, trivia, and cribbage. She played to win, while everyone else hoped to be the one who could finally beat her. The lake house was always full, especially on summer weekends, and over the years it became a place where four generations gathered, laughed, and made memories. The cottage created a lifetime of joy, but what Dolores treasured most was that it kept her family close, her grandchildren near, and strengthened the enduring bonds that defined her life. After spending nearly half a century at the lake, she also built a circle of treasured "lake friends" with whom she loved to socialize.

Dolores was a devout Catholic and faithfully attended Saturday evening Mass at St. Margaret's Church for decades. She also volunteered her time there, always eager to help. Rarely idle, Dolores enjoyed needlepointing, crocheting, knitting, and sewing. She lovingly created wall hangings, blankets, sweaters, hats, mittens, and doll clothes. She took great joy in hosting holidays and family gatherings and shared many happy times with her circle of Burlington friends, with whom she enjoyed dinners out, parties, and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Dolores was unquestionably the backbone, the glue, and the quiet force that held her family together. She will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious laugh, warm personality, and, above all, the kindness and love she freely shared with everyone she knew. In her later years, she faced challenges, including limited vision and hearing, yet she never complained. Instead, she met each day with gratitude, resilience, and appreciation for life's simple gifts. Dolores's love lives on through her family, whose lives are forever enriched by her presence and example.

Dolores was the beloved wife of the late Edward Doherty. She was the loving and supportive mother of Richard Doherty & his wife Nancy of Acton, Robert Doherty & his wife Marianne of Groton, James Doherty & his wife Diane of Westford, and the late Donna O'Rourke & her surviving husband Owen of Woburn. She was the devoted sister of Carol Barrett of Bedford, NH & her late husband William. She was the proud "Grandma" of Michelle Parks & her husband Dustin of N. Reading, Kevin Doherty & his fiancée Rebecca Costa of Cambridge, Joshua Doherty of Charleston, SC, Jonathan Doherty of Westford, Marissa Kerin & her husband Matthew of Quincy, and Kaley Kimball & her husband Liam of Hampstead, NH. She was the great grandmother of Lily Kerin. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials in Dolores's name may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, www.perkins.org, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or Saint Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803.