Patricia (Heaney) Doherty, age 81, a resident of Avita in Needham, died on March 27, 2017 following a period of declining health. She was born February 27, 1936 in Pawtucket, RI and formerly a resident of Cumberland, RI, Narragansett, RI and Naples, FL.
She leaves her children, Kathleen Doherty of Lincoln, RI; Ann Doherty Egan and her husband Christopher of Brookline, MA; and Phil Doherty and his wife Siobhan of Dover, MA. She also leaves behind four beloved grandchildren, Grace, Vanessa, Coleman and Paige. She was predeceased by her brother, David Heaney, parents Theodore and Margaret Heaney.
Patricia attended Rhode Island College and upon graduation worked as an elementary teacher for 30 years at Community School in Cumberland, RI. Upon retirement she continued her commitment to education as a substitute teacher and tutor in Naples, FL where she was an active organizer of the annual Scholar Bowl and leader in the American Associate of University Women (AAUW). She was an active alumnae of both Pawtucket East High, Class of 1953, and Rhode Island College, Class of 1957.
In her retirement she enjoyed traveling to Ireland, London, Greece, Italy and Canada as well as being active in art, bridge club, mahjong, book club and water aerobics. She was a supporter of the arts as an usher at Theater-by-the-Sea in RI and Philharmonic Center for the Arts in FL. She was also an active member of St. Mary’s by the Sea in Narragansett, RI and St. Leo’s in Naples, FL.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt 16) WELLESLEY, Friday, Mar. 31 at 10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in Most Precious Blood Church, Dover at 11:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visitation prior to Mass in the funeral home from 9:30-10:30am. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland, RI Saturday, April 1at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or alz.org.