Obituary of Rose Doherty

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing at home of Rose Harriet Doherty. Born in L'Ardoise, Cape Breton, on March 16th, 1922, Mom was the daughter of the late Arthur U. Sampson and Melvina "Lena" (Martell) Sampson. She graduated from high school in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and worked in the offices of Imperial Oil in Halifax before marrying our father, Robert F. Doherty, and eventually moving to Saint John where she raised her family. Once her children grew up she returned to work and, prior to her retirement, had worked for eighteen years as Executive Secretary to Dr. Eric Dysart. Mom led a very active life and served her community as a volunteer with many organizations. She was a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary where she served as a Parish Convenor, Vice-President and President. Mom also served as administrator and volunteer at St. Joseph’s Gift Shop. She was honoured with a life membership in the New Brunswick Association of Health Care Auxiliaries. For many years, Mom also volunteered with The United Way and the NB. Music Festival. Mom was a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation and, for nine years, was a member of and served a term as chairperson for the Saint John Harbour Bridge Commission. Mom served her church as a Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister and as President of the C.W.L. Her lifelong interest in politics led her to be involved in local and provincial politics as campaign Chair and Office Manager for local Liberal MLA, John Mooney. She was involved in many elections and was recognized for her service to the Liberal Party. Recently, Mom was honoured with The Catholic Health International Volunteer Excellence award. Mom enjoyed reading, gardening, travelling, and watching a variety of televised sporting events. In her retirement she travelled extensively enjoying the company of Fred and Alma Hazel on many tours. Despite her many travels, Mom always remained a proud Cape Bretoner and enjoyed many summers visiting with her brother and nieces and nephew. Mom never lost the "common touch" and was just as comfortable in the boardroom as she was at a kitchen party in L'Ardoise. We are all very proud of Mom's service to others and thankful for the gift and example she was to us. Mom was pre-deceased by our father, Robert F. Doherty; her parents, Arthur and Lena Sampson; her two brothers, Walter Sampson and Richard (Betty) Sampson; her sister Jean (Edward) Madden; her son, Harry J. Doherty; and great-granddaughter Ashley Doherty. She is survived by her sons Robert (Deborah) Doherty of Quispamsis, N.B. and Paul (Anne) Doherty of Prince Edward Island; her daughter Joan (William) Grant of Saint John, her daughter-in-law Bette Doherty of Quispamsis, and by nine grand-children, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Visiting hours at Castle Funeral Home Fallsview Chapel, 309 Lancaster Avenue, will be from 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 7:00pm - 9:00 pm on Friday, September 9th, with a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 360 Dufferin Row, on Saturday, September 10th, at 10:00 am. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary, the Assumption Building Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice.