Shirley Dougherty

Dougherty, Shirley Joyce, passed away August 8, 2017, at the age of 87. She
was born in Ithaca, NY and resided in Saginaw, MI. She was a graduate of Ithaca
High School, received a Nursing Degree from Mount Sinai in NYC and her
Master's Degree from Saginaw Valley State University in 1950. After working
as a nurse for over 30 years, she retired but remained a volunteer for the
next 15 years. Retiring left time for her many hobbies: Shirley and her dear
friend Sandy McCluskey raised and showed AKC registered purebred dogs and
lead many of them to championship status. She had an amazing singing voice
and was a long time member of the Holy Family Catholic church
choir, she was frequently asked to sing for weddings, funerals, and solo performances. Shirley was an
avid sewer and used her entrepreneurial skill in a small but successful craft business.

Above all, she was known for being solid as a rock, the matriarch of our family and fondly known to many
as ‘Aunt Shirley'. She was preceded in death by her parents Patrick and Orien (Machen) Dougherty,
her brother John A. Dougherty, Sister-in-law Patricia S. Dougherty, Cousin James McHale and Nephew
Jeffrey E. Dougherty. She is survived by her Niece Elizabeth (Dougherty) Johnson (Jay) Nephew Timothy
P. Dougherty (Michele) and Sister-in-law N. Patricia Dougherty. The heart and soul of Shirley's life was
her family and friends, her compassion and generosity for those whose lives she touched is well known
and will be her everlasting legacy. Special thanks to Shelleen McHale, Dawn Penny and Joanne Infante
for returning that generosity and compassion.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017, 10:00 AM, at the Immaculate
Conception Calvary Cemetery located at 638 5 Mile Drive, Ithaca, NY. Please honor Shirley,
and her love of the Irish, by wearing green!