Marilyn M. (Dillon) Doherty, a longtime resident of Charlestown and Worthington, entered into eternal life on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Curahealth/Kindred Hospital in Brighton. She was 85 years of age.
Marilyn was born in Allentown, PA on June 14, 1931, a daughter of the late Wiliam J. Dillon and Helen (Coughter) Dillon. She was raised by her Mother's aunt, Agnes Fallon, following the untimely death of her mother. She grew up in Pittsfield, MA where she attended St. Joseph's Parochial school and graduated from St. Joseph's High School. She received a full scholarship to attend Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, MA where she graduated with a degree in Sociology.
Marilyn Demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the education of the children of her community. She worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a research librarian in the Legislative Research Bureau, and also on the staff of past Senate President William Bulger, where she fought vigorously to provide textbooks and literature to all of the children being educated in Massachusetts. She was a member of the Boston Partners for Education, assisted at the Mission Grammar School in Roxbury, and volunteered at the Burns Library at Boston College where she worked toward the cataloging of eighteenth and nineteenth century texts about Ireland. Marilyn also managed each of her husband's four successful bids for election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Marilyn has been recognized with an honorary Doctorate from Our Lady of the Elms College, where she also served as a trustee. Malden Catholic acknowledged her commitment to Catholic education by naming the Marilyn and Gerard Doherty Gymnasium. Recognition has been bestowed on Marilyn by several institutions, including the Irish International Immigration Center, the Irish Charitable Society, and the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center. Most recently, the Our Lady of the Rosary Courtyard at Malden Catholic was dedicated in honor of Marilyn, a gift from her husband.
Marilyn is the beloved wife of 61 years to The Honorable Gerard F. Doherty. She is the devoted sister of the late Patricia (Dillon) Moore and William Dillon. She is survived by many loving Pittsfield cousins, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Marguerite Doherty, and her brother-in-law Richard Moore.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Marilyn's Funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 10 A.M. in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown (GO DIRECTLY TO CHURCH). Her burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Her visiting hours will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 3 to 7 P.M. in the Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Marilyn's name to the Marilyn and Gerard Doherty Scholarship Fund, Elms College 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013-2839
Gerard would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and staff at the Kindred Hospital for the wonderful care provided to Marilyn.