Ann Marie Doherty (Murphy), 84 of Newton, MA. died on December 17, 2024.

Ann was born in Belmont, MA on June 24, 1940, the daughter of the late Martin & Bridget (Betty Donoghue) Murphy, formally of Cork, Ireland. As a young child Ann enjoyed spending time with the neighborhood children playing kickball, jumping rope and playing Simon Says. On snowy days, Ann and her friends and siblings would have snowball fights and slide off of the garage roof as if it were a hill for sledding. On weekends, the family enjoyed going to the Irish football games, to the Norumbega Park where she rode the famous caterpillar ride, and traveling to various New England cities and towns. As a young adult Ann enjoyed going to dances at Hibernian Hall with her sister and friends.

Ann was an astute student who always had her nose in a book or a crossword puzzle and dreamed of someday becoming a lawyer. While she worked as a secretary at Met Life (formerly New England Life) she took night classes to pursue this dream. She then had an opportunity to work as a Clerk of the courts for the United States Federal Government in Boston where she met and fell in love with her husband, William F. Doherty. When Ann and Bill got married and moved to Newton, Ann began working as a secretary at the Mass Dental Society. William (Bill) was a reporter for the Boston Globe and often came home talking about cases he was reporting on, enjoying the feedback and fresh perspective that Ann provided to each case. Ann and Bill delighted in spending time together whether it was relaxing in Cape Cod, at a Red Sox game, BC football game, or canoeing on the Charles. They loved to travel, visiting all the New England states, New York, Florida, Jamaica and Ireland.

After many years, they were blessed with a daughter, Sheila, and Ann's world became all about being a mom. She attended every dance rehearsal and recital, became a soccer coach, and a girl scout leader. She was actively involved in all of Sheila's school activities and helped to organize the community Falls Ball each year.

Ann was a kind and caring friend who would lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. This is evident in the friendships that she built over the years and the community she was a part of in her neighborhood.

Ann was a devout Catholic and Eucharist minister for St. John the Evangelist Church of Wellesley and helped to support St. John's School, where her Sheila attended, with various events throughout the years. She also wrote for the Wellesley Townsman, a local paper, about the goings on at St. John's School.

Ann was a member of the Erin Society of Boston where she used her secretarial skills to document the minutes of every meeting. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and attended several of their events throughout the years.

In her last year of life, she resided at the Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley where the staff looked after her with the utmost care. She attended mass regularly and participated in many community events.

Ann M. Doherty was a devoted wife of the late William F. Doherty and beloved mother of Sheila Gomez and her husband, Juan Gomez of Newton, MA. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Murphy of West Yarmouth, MA, brother James Murphy and his wife Judy of South Carolina, sister-in-law, Sr. Mary Clare Doherty of the Carmelites in Roxbury, MA. As well as nephews Timothy (and his wife, Carol) Murphy and Matthew (and his wife, Nancy) Murphy, grandchildren Emma and Gianna Gomez and great nephews Johnthan and Kevin Murphy. She is survived by many friends and relatives in the United States and Ireland.

Visiting hours will be held for Ann on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4-7pm at Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Wellesley, MA, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 11am followed by interment at Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury, MA. Donations may be made in Ann's memory to the Carmelite Monastery, 61
Mt. Pleasant Ave., Roxbury, MA.