BANGOR – Ruth Winifred Dougherty, 94, passed away peacefully April 18, 2012, surrounded by members of her family. Ruth was born June 13, 1917, in Salem, Mass., the daughter of John H. and Mary B. (McGillicuddy) Elliott.
She grew up in Brownville Junction, graduating from Brownville High School in 1934 and attended St. Joseph’s Academy, Portland, in 1935. She graduated from Queens Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Portland, in 1938, and began a career of more than 40 years as a registered nurse. In 1943 Ruth married Jack Dougherty of Portland, and they began a life together that would go on for 59 years. They loved to travel, visiting much of the country in their camping trailer. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and served as a lector. She was also a member of St. John’s Catholic Women’s Council, RSVP, and the former Athene Club. She was a volunteer for many years at St. Joseph Hospital, Bangor, and the Bangor Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center.
Ruth is survived by her eight children, John Dougherty and his wife, Margaret, of Sarasota, Fla., Mary Ellen Roma and her husband, Tim, of Portland, Ruth Soucy and her husband, Richard, of Bangor, Anne Thompson and her husband, Donald, of Hermon, Jere Dougherty of Las Vegas, Thea Duhaime of Crestview, Fla., Joel Dougherty and his wife, Anya, of Stuttgart, Germany, and Lisa Yoshimoto and her husband, Allan, of Honolulu. She is also survived by her brother, William Moroney and his wife, Jude; her sisters, Peggy Skomurski and Mary Long; 26 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Jack; her sister, Lucille Moroney; her son-in-law, Larry Duhaime; a grandson, Thomas Hicks; and a great-grandson, Aric Roma.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, York Street, Bangor. Burial will be private. Gifts in Ruth’s memory may be sent to St. Joseph HomeCare and Hospice, care of St. Joseph Healthcare, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638 or St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 207 York St., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.