Mary Jean Doherty
May 2, 1934 ~ January 23, 2024
Resided in:
Portland, Maine
Portland- Mary Jean (McDonough) Doherty, 89, passed away peacefully at Pinnacle Health on January 23, 2024. Mary Jean was born on May 2, 1934 in Portland, the loving daughter of John E. and Mary Elizabeth (Costello) McDonough.
Mary Jean had a profound love for working with and being around children. She graduated from Gorham State Teachers College, where she met her husband, Jim. Mary Jean was an educator for many years in the Portland Public School System. During her early years teaching, Mary Jean and Jim corresponded and courted through countless letters while he was deployed in the Army. They married on June 25, 1960, beginning a long and loving union. Together, they had three daughters, Sally, Katie, and Mary Beth. The heart and hub of the family was always Mary Jean; from Sunday family dinners, summer vacations at Watchic Lake, winter breaks skiing at mountains throughout Maine, hosting all holiday gatherings and whatever other celebrations arose. She always enjoyed a good party and was the consummate hostess. She welcomed everyone with her vibrant personality, perpetual smile, and open heart.
A big part of family life was swimming and Mary Jean supported her daughters as a boisterous fan cheering in the stands and as President of the then Portland Boys Club Seals Swim Team, now known as the Westbrook Seals. Mary Jean and the family formed many lasting friendships through this program. “Mimi,” as she was affectionately known by her five grandchildren, continued her unconditional support in the stands and on the sidelines at their athletic events from soccer, cross country meets, softball, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, football, and of course, swimming.
A devoted communicant at St. Joseph's Church, Mary Jean was a faithful Catholic deeply involved with her church community. She taught Sunday School and participated in Mass as a Eucharistic Minister.
Family and community were very important to Mary Jean and the world is a little dimmer without her. Her big-hearted, out-going, and loving personality will be greatly missed.
Mary Jean is survived by her adoring and devoted husband, James Doherty; her daughters, Sally Doherty, Katie Doherty and husband Sean Cooledge, and Mary Beth Doherty; her grandchildren, Connor McInnis, Liam and Morgan Cooledge, Molly and Gracie Hodgkins; and many loving friends and extended family.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt, special thank you to The Barron Center’s Adult Daycare in Portland, Compassus Hospice, and Pinnacle Health at South Portland, all for their compassionate and dedicated care of Mary Jean in her final years.
Prayers will be recited at 10:15 am at the Conroy-Tully-Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.
To view Mary Jean’s memorial page, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mary Jean’s memory to: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine- PO Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112 or online at bgcmaine.org/donate
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Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Mrs. Doherty was the head cheerleader for all of us who swam with the Seals
Peace and Love to you all,
Judi Orr
Dear Doherty family,
My condolences.
I have very fond memories of our years with the Portland Boy’s Club Seals.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen (Rosen) Brenner
Dear Doherty family,
My condolences on the passing of Mary Jean.
I have wonderfully fond memories of swimming for the Seals at the Boy’s Club with the Doherty’s.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Rosen Brenner
Dear Jim and family, We are sorry for the loss your wonderful Mary Jean. She is one in a million,dearly loved , and fondly remembered.
May God bless you all,and lessen your grief knowing she is at eternal peace watching over you all.
Keeping the Doherty’s in our thoughts and prayers.
With Love, Liz and Johnny
I had the pleasure of working with MaryJean at Nathan Clifford School for several years. She was a great coworker always so supportive and kind. I’ll miss her laughter and out going personality!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this difficult time. Share all your memories with each other and you will be happy and content.
Dear Mr Doherty, Daughters and Grandchildren, I am so very sad and sorry to hear of the loss of your Beautiful and Brave wife, mother and grandmother! I know how much that hurts, for my Mom passed away last month. I don’t know whether you will remember me, Mr. Doherty, but you were one of my favorite teachers. I had you when I was in 5th grade, at Lyseth. You actually had many of the Norbert children, for there were seven of us! I remember you as being very handsome, kind, yet strict, and in love with sports, which I LOVED about you! I loved playing sports, and I loved the days when you brought our class outdoors to play kick ball and softball, and you even joined in the games with us, which was so GREAT!:) THANK YOU for those wonderful memories of my childhood…..My Mom and brothers and sisters thought the world of you, too! I am comforted knowing that your wife, and my Mom, shared a fervent faith, and that they are with their family members in Heaven. I hope that brings you and your family comfort, too! THANKS for making a difference in my life. I have been an English teacher at Brunswick High School for the past 30 years but still live around the same Portland neighborhood where I grew up. Family ties, that you and your wife and my mom instilled in your children are a TREASURE….as are you! Much Love and Gratitude to You and Many Prayers for You and your Family at this time, Mary Norbert and Family