Maura Wait

Maura O'Doherty Wait Died in her 85th year on April 29, 2011. She was born in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland, to Peter and Catherine O'Doherty. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Albert James Wait Jr., her children, Cathy Etheredge (Art Brigida), Liam (Carrie) Wait, and Eithne (Al) Pardini; three grandchildren, Troy Etheredge, Sarah Etheredge, and Ciara Karski, and two brothers - Walter (Pam) Doherty and Peter (Nan) Doherty. She was preceded by her parents, her brother John Doherty, two sisters, Anne Quill and Eileen Doherty, a son, Brendan Wait and daughter, Carolyn Wait. Maura immigrated to the United States in 1948 at the age of 22. She met Albert in the church choir at St. John's Catholic Church, Cambridge, MA, and they were married on July 15, 1950, in St. Peters Catholic Church, also in Cambridge, MA. Maura and Albert moved to South San Francisco in 1950 and lived in the Bay Area for 55 years. Since 2005 they have resided in Linda, CA. Meeting her husband in the church choir is a tribute to Maura's love of music and singing. She was a member of several choral groups including the choirs at St. Veronica Parish, St. Bruno Catholic Church, and St. Augustine's Catholic Church as well as The Peninsula Choraliers, The Irish Choral Society and the San Francisco Bach Choir. Maura also served as Musician for the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of California. She passed her love of music and singing on to all of her children and grandchildren. Maura worked for United Air Lines at the Maintenance Base in San Bruno for 40 years retiring in 1992. She was the proud wife of a U.S. Navy Veteran and devoted much of her personal time and effort supporting various veterans' associations. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association and member of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary (VFWA) 8 and 40, Cabane 365 La Societe des France, and member of the Royal British Legion. As an active member of the various associations, she served as Past President for the VFWA and ALA as well as Secretary for all the other organizations. She was a "Golden Cat" for the DAVA. In addition, she was a longtime volunteer at the USO at San Francisco Airport. Maura was proud of her Irish heritage and shared that love with her children through numerous travels to her homeland. She enjoyed all things Irish, particularly a good hot cup of tea...which could be served at any time of the day. She will be remembered for her generosity, strength, wit, and charm. A memorial mass will be held on May 26th at St. Robert's Catholic Church, 1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, at 10:30 AM with a private interment at the Golden Gate National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Peninsula Women's Chorus, P.O. Box 50532, Palo Alto, CA 94303, the San Francisco VA Medical Center www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/giving/ , or the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Condolences may also be made at www.gardenchapel885.com.