Doris M. Sands
...Billerica matriach; 79
BILLERICA - Doris M. (Gearaghty) Sands, 79, matriarch of a large well known area family, diedunexpectedly Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Winchester Hospital. She was the wife for 57 years ofHarry H. Sands, who died in 2001.
She was born in Somerville, April 30, 1925, a daughter of the late Joseph and Florence (Daley)Gearaghty. She was raised in Somerville and graduated St. Clement’s Catholic High School inSomerville. She had lived in the Pinehurst section of Billerica since 1960.
In addition to raising her large family, she worked for B.A.S.F. corporation in Bedford.
She was a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and was a member of the Army’s S.A.G.E. unit.
In later years, she was a regular visitor to Lowell’s Senior Drop-in Center.
She is survived by eight children; Patricia Liljegren of Dracut, Paul Sands and his friend MaryJoMcPhee of Malden, Richard Sands of St. Petersburg, FL., Debra Horgan of Dracut, William and his wife Lois(Smith) Sands of Lillian, AL, Thomas and his wife Joan (Cushing) Sands of Sandown, NH, KevinSands and his companion Darlene Simmons of Bedford, Maureen and her husband ErnestHamilton of Lowell; a daughter-in-law, Danielle (Keans) Sands of Haverhill; 24 grandchildren; 11great grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia Rabbitt of Winchester.
She was also mother of the late Barbara J. Sands, Michael Sands, Mary Elizabeth Sands; sister ofthe late Joseph Gearaghty; and her late dear friend, Tiger Sands.
Following cremation, a Memorial Mass was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 7, in St.William’s Church.
Memorials to the Komen Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309, will be appreciated.