Annamarie Doherty

Annamarie Doherty, age 58, of Scituate, MA, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2022. Born on an Air Force base in Germany,on June 25, 1964 to parents Andrew and Neeltje, she grew up in Scituate with her sister Moniek. She took dance lessons and loved rock music. In the 1990’s she met Thomas Doherty whom she was married to for 25 years and shared a family with. With this Annamarie embarked on her newest and most meaningful role, as a mother.

Being a mother meant everything to Annamarie and she embraced the role wholeheartedly. First she became a loving step mother to Stephen and it wasn’t long after until the birth of her first daughter, Brittany. Four years later she welcomed her second daughter, Andrea. Then, six years later the family grew one more time with the birth of her youngest daughter, Ashley.

By this point the halls were teaming with little ones. Annamarie was always offering to host her three nieces Hannah, Sasha, and Olivia Always coming up with creative ways to keep all of the kids entertained–from commissioning the building of elaborate forts, to inventing a little something called mulch sledding, there was never a dull moment. Roller coasters were commonplace in the living room and there was always a delicious and meticulously crafted dinner waiting on the table in the home Ann built for her family.

Cooking was one of Annamarie's greatest passions and talents. She got her early start as a young girl doctoring up the family Thanksgiving turkey with all kinds of herbs and spices while no one was looking. Annamarie mastered countless recipes–from risotto, to beef wellington, to spanakopita–she could make it all. Once, she even replicated from taste alone the pan fried artichoke hearts from her favorite restaurant in the North End.

Another one of Annamarie’s greatest passions has always been animals and nature. It was as if she had a special bond with every living animal and them with her. Annamarie even operated a pet store for a time where, after hours, she firmly believed animals did not belong in cages–the more birds flying around, the better. Annamarie had many pets over the years: from cats and dogs to birds, and lizards she loved them all. She even named the entire cast of characters of creatures that could be spotted around the yard. There was Fluffy the bunny, Flying Freddy the bat, Squeaky the hummingbird, along with her beloved family of deer. Mama deer was named Cat in the Hat and her two babies were Thing One and Thing Two. Annamarie truly enjoyed the beauty in simple moments spent outside cultivating her garden and watching the hummingbirds flutter around her flowers.

Travel was one of Annamarie’s favorite ways to experience her passions and to create memories with her family. Aruba was one of Annamarie’s favorite places to go. It is where she spent her honeymoon and over a decade returning annually with her family. So much so that she eventually became recognized as a distinguished guest of the island. For Annamarie Aruba blended together her Dutch heritage, with beaches of white sand and crystal ocean, and Caribbean wildlife. It was truly a paradise. She loved having tea and beschuits in the morning,then spending afternoons on the beach with her chair dragged into the water just deep enough for the Angel fish to swim up to her–Angel fish were drawn to Annamarie–they would figure-eight through her legs while everyone else watched in astonishment. Annamarie’s other beach buddies were the parrots. She always lead the pack of children over to feed them crackers and listen to them chit chat. Aside from beach days one of Annamarie’s favorite excursions was to the butterfly farm. She loved butterflies and the best part was that, at this farm the butterflies roamed free without a cage. Ann wouldn’t have had it any other way. She was immersed and loved every minute of it. Until it was time to return home to the states and Annamarie could be found feverishly trying to smuggle cans of liver paste into her luggage.

Another place close to Annamaarie’s heart was Holland, where her mother was born and where many relatives still reside. She spent time visiting as a girl and even became fluent in the language. As an adult she was able to return but with a new generation in tow. On the flight over Annamarie held Andrea’s hand through all the turbulence, eased her nerves and let her know it would all be okay. Then the fun began, Ann loved catching up with relatives and was particularly fond of going to the chocolate shop stuumps. She always had a sweet tooth and preferred the real Dutch cocoa to any Hershey’s bar. On that trip she taught her youngest daughter Ashley how to play chess on a life sized chess board, and ate a lot of cheese–so much so that a trip to the cheese museum was taken. In truth cheese was something close to Ashley’s heart and sharing her heritage and seeing her kids happy was what was close to Annamarie’s.

Despite all of the amazing places Ann has been to, some of her best memories were created right at home. Where she loved staying in and working on a good puzzle, knitting a new sweater, or painstakingly working on a needle point. She also loved family game nights. At times they may have gotten a bit competitive but Annamarie always had a soft spot for not wanting to bump her kids back to start in Sorry. Family time was also spent around the television either watching America's Funniest Home Videos and laughing hysterically or rooting on Boston Rob on Survivor. Wheel of fortune was a specialty of Annamarie’s and CBS is lucky she never applied, she would have bleed them dry. No one could crack the puzzle as quickly as Annamarie. Shark week in Annamarie’s household was looked forward to like the biggest blockbuster event of the summer. When it was time for movie night Annamarie’s favorites were Born Free, and Brother Bear–classics that never got old despite countless rewatching.

But as time beats on the children who were once running around Annamaries’s halls are growing up. It brought Annamarie infinite joy to see her nieces begin to start families of their own. Becoming a Great Aunt and having new little ones to gush about filled Annamarie with endless happiness. She will be loved and remembered by many generations.

Annamarie is survived by her mother, Neelijie Brigham; her daughters, Brittany, Andrea, and Ashley Doherty; her stepson, Stephen Doherty; Ex-husband Thomas Doherty; sister Moniek Oriola; brother in law Gary Oriola; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at Richardson Gaffey funeral home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate, from 11am- 1pm Tuesday, August 23. Following the visitation will be an internment at 1:15pm at Fairview Cemetery, 19 Fairview Ave, Scituate, MA.

Donations in her honor may be made to the Special Olympics at specialolympics.org.