Eileen Virginia (Foster) Doherty joined the love of her life Edmund "Neda" Doherty and their beloved son Edmund Joseph Doherty Jr. in Heaven on April 5th, 2018 at the age of 86. After a brief illness, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Virginia, as she was known, was born to Eileen C. (Doherty) and George Hanson Foster on May 12, 1931. She grew up on Foster Brother`s Cattle and Dairy Farm with parents, sister Marianne, and brother George on Cambridge Road, where the farm house still stands today next to Saint Barbara`s Church. She loved to talk about life on the farm and all of her adventures of delivering milk with her Uncle Howard and bringing the cattle into the stockyard in Brighton with her dad.
Virginia graduated in 1947 from Woburn High School and went on to work at Filenes in Boston. As luck would have it, Virginia and three of her best girlfriends each began dating and went on to marry a Doherty brother. On November 12, 1955, Virginia married Edmund "Neda" Doherty. Together they would build a house on Lexington Street on her family`s farm and would go on to raise seven children.
Virginia enjoyed life to the fullest. One of her favorite hobbies was gardening. She and Neda would spend hours growing and planting the most beautiful gardens around their home. She also had a knack for crafting and could sew, paint, draw and loved to write poems for her family and friends. Virginia was also an avid Bingo player where she met a wonderful group of women with whom she formed lasting friendships.
Ever since she was a little girl, Virginia had always enjoyed summering at Hampton Beach and in later years at Seabrook Beach. Anyone who knew her, knew that on the first good day of spring you could find her sitting on the porch catching a few rays while listening to her soap operas or the Red Sox. Virginia also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and shopping.
Her greatest joy, however, would come from raising her seven children and caring for her eleven grandchildren. As an always-present mother, she was actively involved with the PTO, taught CCD, was a Cub Scout mom, as well as supported her children in every way that she could. She always had dinner on the table for them every night at 5:30, usually followed by a homemade dessert, because she always liked a little sweet after dinner.
One of the greatest lessons Virginia and Neda taught their children was to have faith. In 1975, Ned and Virginia tragically lost their oldest son, but their faith would keep their family together, and their love for their children would supersede their grief and strengthen the bond of their family.
Later in life she would return to work at the New England Rehab. In 1991, after Virginia lost her husband Neda, she focused all of her time and love on her children and grandchildren. Grammy, as she was affectionately known, babysat them every chance she could. It wouldn`t be unheard of for Gram to have all of her grandkids at her house at once. She loved to take them on picnics in the backyard, go on vacations with them, dress-up with them for Halloween, and bake with them. She was patient and kind and loved them each so very much.
Nothing made Virginia happier than to be surrounded by the ones she loved. She always made sure her family was provided for and her selflessness led to the creation of the "Doherty Compound." Whether it was a birthday dinner, family game night, or just a quick visit, she was happiest when her family was together. She touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity and continued to maintain her sense of humor until her passing. Virginia leaves memories that will live on in her family and friend`s hearts forever. She was the best mother and grandmother her children and grandchildren could have ever asked for and will never be forgotten.
Virginia was the beloved wife of the late Edmund J. "Neda" Doherty. Daughter of the late George H and Eileen C. (Doherty) Foster. Proud and devoted mother of Eileen T. Doherty, Susan and her husband John Cashell, John "Jack" Doherty and his wife Laura, Christopher Doherty and his wife Nancy, Ernest G. Doherty and his fiancé Mia Pasquerella, Mary Bonsignore and her husband James all of Woburn and the late Edmund J. "Joey" Doherty. Loving grandmother of Johnny, Eddie, Ben, Chris, Elizabeth, Danielle, Ernie and Mckenzie Doherty, Nora and John-Michael Cashell, and Ella Bonsignore. Cherished sister or George Foster of Naples, FL and the late Marianne Cosgrove. Mother-in-law of the late Christine (Gay) Doherty.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Wednesday, April 11th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.