Dorothy Anne Lenihan Dougherty of Rydal, Pa., died peacefully at home on September 25. Dorothy was born December 10, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Dorothy (Quinn) and John J. (Jack) Lenihan and grew up surrounded by family in East Flatbush. She was the younger sister of Regina Lenihan Lewis and John J. Lenihan, Jr., and the older sister of Eileen Lenihan, all of whom preceded her in death.

After graduating from St. Brendan's High School in Brooklyn and the Katherine Gibbs School in Manhattan, Dorothy worked as an executive secretary in New York City and met Harold Thomas (Tom) Dougherty at a meeting of the Legion of Mary. They were married at the Church of St. Therese of Lisieux (Little Flower) in Brooklyn on September 16, 1961, and soon became parents to Christopher, Brendan (who died in infancy), Ellen (the late Riley Grimes), David (Clare), Regina (Christopher Rodgers), and Maura (Bart Acocella) Dougherty. In addition to her children, and the children-in-law she loved, she is survived by six beloved grandchildren: Julia and Claudia Rodgers, Biruk and Netsanet Grimes, and Brendan and William Dougherty.

After spending her first 36 years in her beloved Brooklyn, Dorothy moved with her young family to Abington, Pa., for Tom's job. Despite relinquishing her Brooklyn residency, she never lost her accent. She became an active member of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Abington. She was a founding member of the prayer group that met there on Monday evenings for many years, helping create a community that supported and sustained her for the remainder of her life. Later moving to Jenkintown, she became an active member of Immaculate Conception Parish, singing in the choir, serving as a lector, and attending daily Mass for many years. She had a long and varied career, which included many years as secretary to the Abington Township Manager, a job through which she made many lasting friends.

In addition to raising five children, Dorothy cared for legions more people throughout her life. She nursed Tom, who died in 1998, and her two sisters through long illnesses, even while working full time. Her faith was unshakeable and her work ethic was unmatched. In the hardest of times, she simply put her head down and did what needed to be done. She lived her life with joy and generosity and, no matter her own struggles, she always had room in her heart and in her home for anyone who needed love and support. We will forever be striving to live up to her example.

In her final years, Dorothy was surrounded by a team of devoted caregivers who brought her great comfort and happiness. We are deeply grateful to Brie Patterson, Heather Shore, Dalia Rabbani, and Haneen Yousef for their love and compassion, and to the team at Grane Hospice.

Friends may call Friday evening, September 27, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at George G. FitzPatrick Funeral Home, 1500 Old York Road, Abington, PA. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 606 West Avenue, Jenkintown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the Dougherty family requests that contributions be made in Dorothy's memory to the Breathing Room Foundation, www.breathingroomfoundation.org, or Our Lady's House, P.O. Box 201, Jenkintown, PA 19046.