Hi, Mom. I miss you more this week, so I figured I'd write you a letter. Please try not to proofread it as you go. ;)
    It's been a year already, but it feels like days. 
    I finally dreamed about you after a year of waiting. It was a good dream. I saw your face, which I don't usually do in dreams; faces are usually obscured and vague suggestions of facial features. But, I saw yours clearly and you were radiant! You were wearing your Longhorn-orange blouse (I have it in my closet now) and black slacks. You had just come out of a theater with Dad and a young grandson (not sure which). Your smile was so beautiful! I started crying in my dream because I could finally see you in person. You gave me a gift with a handmade ribbon made of dried holly berries and leaves. Inside was a primitive, handmade doll of burlap. Not sure the connection, but I was just content to be near you again.

I continue to offer my daily rosaries for you. Your grandbabies are doing alright, but they miss you terribly. We tried making enchiladas on the 24th in your honor, but it was an epic fail. I'm sure you had a good laugh about it. ;)

I love you, "Madre". When you see them, please tell Nana, Grandma and Tio that Anita says "hello".

Please visit me again soon.

Irene Dougherty was my piano teacher and best big sister friend  back in 1969 . I will always cherish her , for being there for me  . I will never forget all the trips she and Tom  took me on , so many memories, especially when we went to the Posadas at USD ,, going to the music rooms, her driving her little white Opal car  ( stick shift ). She was so beautiful ,her smile  , her kindness ! 
I was blessed and honored to have had this wonderful lady  in my young years ,, but so sorry that I didn't keep in contact . 
She always told me she wanted a big family . My brother and I went to visit her mom on Tremont St. , she told us that she lived in Chula Vista and that she had lots of children ,, we were so happy  for her . My deepest condolences go to all her family  .May God bless you .

Our prayers for Mrs. Dougherty and your beautiful family. You were an enthusiastic inspiration due to your great love for the Faith. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

I remember Irene from USD and I had the privilege to call her a friend. I remember her as a bright, happy, and loving women.  We spent many a time skipping class and going to lunch and great conversations with Jean and my sister Catherine.  We were both born at Mercy hospital and we would laugh that we probably shared a room at Mercy, my birthday is June 21. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Maria Vattuone Iraci

I had the privilege of being your student in middle school-no question a very difficult and confusing time for a child. You had the ability to make us feel valuable and independent and at the same time still nurture us as the kids we were!  Your sense of humor was a tool you used to connect with us and yet you had our upmost respect. Countless times throughout my adult life I have thought of you and the wonderful things you taught me, not just about English and History but about life itself. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did for me. You will live forever in my heart and in my happiest thoughts. My condolences to her family. May you Rest in Peace sweet Mrs. Dougherty

I am blessed to have had you as teacher and have so many fond memories of you. You are the most memorable teacher I have ever had. Thank you for being you. You will truly be missed but forever in my heart Mrs. Dougherty.

Mrs. Dougherty lives on in the many students she taught and in the memorable sayings she shared.  She gave us wisdom, grace and strength-- always blended with a bit of humor.  I still tell my students one of her favorite responses when they ask, "How long does my paragraph have to be?"
In Irene's words, "Like a skirt.  Long enough to do the job; short enough to keep it interesting."  Rest in peace, Irene.

Thank you, God, for picking this woman out of all the women on earth to be our Mom.
Mom, I will love you and carry you with me forever. I will miss watching you dance my babies on your lap or seeing you sit by the fireplace watching tv. You made our last Christmas with you truly unforgettable. Please visit me anytime in my dreams. I can't wait to see you in heaven. God bless you, Mama.

You couldn't ask for a better Mother in-law. Even before I married into the family I always felt so welcome. She told me on the first day we met (5/3/07) that she was "the heart" of the home. I believed that then as I believe it now. She had a way about her and a way of speaking that could fill you with peace. When you were feeling down she could pick you back up, make you feel less overwhelmed and ALWAYS left you feeling encouraged. Mom was my greatest ally and I know that her help will be even greater now. I'll miss many things ...cooking for her. Walking into her home for that first time each visit. Christmas with her because she embodied the warmth and wonder of that time of year. Watching her dote on my babies. My prayers for her are unceasing and my hope is that she is up there in Heaven with those we've lost through the years. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.

Whenever anyone walks around the corner of Immaculate Conception Catholic School, they immediately see the words Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility. These words were imprinted on our school by Irene Dougherty and remain the heart of our mission today.  Irene taught her students to own it.  Her passion was second-to-none as she was driven by Our Lord, Our Lady, and the Holy Spirit.  She gave her all to every person with whom she came into contact.  Mother, grandmother, wife, sister, teacher, mentor, dear friend.there will always be a part of you in all of us.  You have blessed us all, and it is time for you to take your place among the angels and saints.  Pax tecumwe love you.

Mrs. Dougherty touched the hearts of so many students with the love of Christ while she was a teacher at ICCS.  I was privileged to have worked with her and see her love in action.  She was a true inspiration and warrior for Christ.  Both mentor and friend, she was an exceptional witness to our faith. My children were blessed to have been taught by her and experience her passion and love for her Catholic faith.  Oh, how I wish we had more teachers like Irene!! She will be missed by all who knew her. May her love continue to live on through the lives of her students, friends and family.

Mrs. Dougherty will be dearly missed!  She touched the hearts of so many children with the love of Christ during her years at ICCS.  An exceptional role model and outstanding witness to our faith, who left a memorable imprint of her love wherever she went.  May her love live on through the lives of her students, friends and family.

Mrs. Dougherty was my middle school teacher who I looked up to so much. She got me through the toughest times in my life and I've thought about her every day since 8th grade. I will miss her so much. My prayers are with her family and loved ones. What a beautiful, caring, strong, and holy woman she was.

I only knew you through your son Martin, but he is the most compassionate, kind, and loving individual I have ever known. You raised a great man. Rest in peace dear lady. You will be missed.

I experience the greatness of Mary Irene Dougherty, my mother-in-law, through the daily life of my family. It is not a coincidence or a stroke of luck that I ended up with a wonderful wife and beautiful, caring kids. Mom's unconditional love for her entire family is fierce and her focused attention on each brings out the best in all of us. It is humbling and hopeful to see what we might be capable of in caring for each other. The world is less wonderful without her and I will do my best to keep her legacy and stories alive. I love you, Mom.

What a beautiful soul!  God bless her and your family.

Mrs. Dougherty is my Mom.  She calls me "mija" and "marioles" and I will miss the sound of her voice calling me by name.  She spent her life teaching me the life and faith lessons she had learned from her own mother who, in turn, learned those lessons from her mother.  She is--and always will be--my guide and my heart.  Rest in peace, Mommy.  God bless you.  I love you very much.

Irene Dougherty made a difference in my son Ben Smith's life.  He always enjoyed reading and she encouraged him.  He especially enjoyed the unit on World War II and remembered it fondly during our trip to the World War II museum in New Orleans. Mrs. Dougherty also taught many life lessons through her many stories she told about her own life.  May she rest in peace in Jesus' arms.  Mary Smith ICCS teacher

OBITUARY

Mary Irene Dougherty

23 June, 1947 – 24 January, 2017

J.E. Foust & Son Funeral Directors

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