Sallie Marie (Larson) Dougherty

A Mothers' love is eternal. And believing that makes the announcement of our mother Sallie Marie Dougherty’s passing on April 19th no less difficult, but much more bearable. Her Catholic faith was a constant force and her devotion to the Blessed Mother provided guidance throughout her life. Over her 92 years, as the wife of Edward A. Dougherty M.D. for 67 incredible years and mother to eight, Mama always held forth with unconditional love, patience, faith and was an example to us all. 

Mama was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Gladys Laura (Halpin) and Carl Larson. At a youthful age, while working at a AAA office she happened to give driving directions to a young man from Scranton named Edward Dougherty whom she married in 1951 and set off with on a lifetime of adventure. Our parents displayed an affection, respect and love that made being their children more proud and joyful than can ever be expressed in words. We are so grateful for them and know how fortunate we are to call them Mama and Daddy. Their example will live on through all future generations.

Sallie embraced life - each day brought her joy, no matter the weather, challenges, or circumstances. She found pleasure in tending to her plants and the company of many pets. Mama was particularly fond of the written word and read voraciously - especially newspapers and periodicals. Books were an obsession. No topic was uninteresting and as a result she could be counted on to have an opinion on everything. Whether in person or on a telephone, discussions with Mama could be enlightening, engaging and to say the least - lengthy. In fact, some have theorized that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone precisely for Sallie. With her children spread across the country and friends in every state, the phone was an essential component of daily life. Whether to share good news or explain the bad, Mama was the first to call at any hour and every hour.

Anybody that she encountered could quickly detect that Mama was going to make an impression on them. She realized the power of simple smile and a kind word could change a bad day for someone into a great one. Her blue eyes could speak as loud and clearly as her voice. She was comfortable in any situation, using her sense of humor and wit to make others feel relaxed and welcomed. Laughter was one of her greatest assets and was as easy to her as motherhood.

Sallie was preceded by her husband Edward, brothers-in-law Most Reverend John M. Dougherty and Joesph M. Dougherty, Richard and Carolyn Armstrong, Joseph and Joann McGowan, Jay McGowan, niece Mary Dougherty, nephew John Dougherty, her parents, in-laws and numerous aunts and uncles and Dave Tiller.

Sallie will be forever missed by her eight children and their spouses Edward Dougherty and Linda, Anne Hamblett and Rob, Patrick Dougherty, Colleen Dougherty, Michael Dougherty and Alina, Timothy Dougherty, Richard Dougherty and Amanda, and Erin Stanton and Jim. Seventeen grandchildren and spouses Catherine Bream (Doug), Elizabeth Jarr (Kevin), Edward (Maggi), Amanda, Caroline Levis (Greg), John Hamblett, Peter Hamblett, Martin Dougherty, Sallie Ann Dougherty, Connor, McKenzie and Hannah Dougherty, Grace Dougherty, Henry and Margot Dougherty, Tiller and Fitzjames Stanton and nine great-grandchildren Jack, Isabel and Gemma Bream, Burke, Charles, Jude and Aidan Jarr and Declan and Collette Levis.

She is also survived by many others she loved, especially her sister-in-law Margaret Dougherty, her nieces and nephews and their families

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday April 28th,10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Cathedral, Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. Visitation will occur from 9:00 a.m. to the start of service. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

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