Mary Ellen Doherty

Mary Ellen Doherty passed away on Tuesday August 7, 2018 at her home in Virginia Beach. She was 85. She was a first generation American, born in Yonkers, NY on March 5, 1933 to James Mahoney and Norah Curley. She attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and graduated from Gorton High School in 1951. She then embarked on a career as an airline stewardess, just as the age of air travel was taking off, she worked for National Airlines and traveled regularly on routes across the United States and Europe. Mary Ellen met and married the love of her life, Richard S. Doherty in Jacksonville, Florida. As a Navy wife, she raised her two children, Christopher and Scott R. Doherty, living in Florida, Texas and settling in Virginia Beach. She went back to school, graduated with a B.A. from Wesleyan and a M.S.W. from Norfolk State. She worked as a social worker for Westminster Canterbury and then retired after 22 years as a social worker for Virginia Beach Public Schools. She also was an adjunct professor of psychology at Tidewater Community College, St Leo University and Norfolk State University. She retired in 2007. In addition to her sons, Christopher and Scott, daughter-in-law Lilibeth, and grandson, Scott R. Doherty Jr., she leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, who regularly returned to Virginia Beach for yearly visits, going back over 50 years, and many beloved friends. Mary Ellen is predeceased by her husband, Richard, her parents, sister, Ann, and brothers, James and Patrick. Mary Ellen was renowned for her wit, and for her generosity. Her house was always open to guests and friends, and she presided over long, hilarious evenings that kept people coming back. She was a devout member of Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church, 1279 N Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. She will be interred in Arlington Cemetery next to her husband at a later date. You may offer your condolences at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.