Mary J (McCarthy) Doherty

Mary J. Doherty, of Newton and Falmouth, March 11, 2021. Mary passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Newton. She graduated from Our Lady Help of Christians High School and Bryant & Stratton Business School. She worked as an administrative assistant at Boston College, and later at the Boston Herald newspaper, as executive secretary to the publisher. After her mother died, Mary retired to become a full-time caregiver for her youngest brother, Jimmy McCarthy, who had Down Syndrome. Mary and her husband John P. Doherty, who pre-deceased her, provided a loving home to Jimmy for many years.

Mary was an active parishioner at Our Lady Help of Christians parish in Newton. She enjoyed participating in small faith-groups and for many years quietly supported the parish through her careful and beautiful laundering of altar linens. 

Mary was the matriarch of a devoted family, who were blessed by her kindness, compassion, generosity and sense of fun. She is survived by her devoted sister, Eileen Plunkett of Belmont, her beloved sister-in-law Laurie McCarthy of Newton and many dear cousins. “Auntie” Mary is also survived by her adoring nieces and nephews: Mary (Bill) Bender of Norwich, VT, Trish (Mark) Hurley of Richmond, CA, Robert Plunkett Jr. (Jennifer) of Manhasset, NY and Andrew Plunkett (Keely) of Belmont; Kathleen McCarthy, Peter (Jenni) McCarthy, Stephen (Kate) McCarthy and Heather McCarthy, all of Newton. “Great-Auntie Mary” is also survived by her treasured great-nieces and nephews: Ryan (Abby) and Kristen Kelliher; Billy and Danny Bender; Michael and Grace Hurley; Sara, Kate, and Elizabeth Plunkett; Molly, Sadie and Emmi Plunkett; Liam, Tommy and Caitlyn McCarthy; James, Henry, Jack and Madeleine McCarthy; and Matthew and Clare McCarthy. In addition to her husband John P. Doherty, Mary was predeceased by her brothers, the Honorable William A. McCarthy and James M. McCarthy, her brother in law Robert Plunkett and by her dear nephew William A. McCarthy Jr, all formerly of Newton.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Good Shepard Community Care and to her extraordinary caregivers.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 15th at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St., Newton, at 10:30 a.m. Internment will take place at Newton Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at Eaton Mackay Funeral Home on 465 Centre St., Newton from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Monday. All attendees must wear farce coverings.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory gratefully appreciated for “Pathway to Possible,” an organization that provides support for people with cognitive disabilities: 1301 Centre St., Newton Center, MA 02459.

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