Obituary of Olive R. Dougherty

Olive R. Dougherty, 82, most recently a resident of Hilltop Retirement Community, died surrounded by her family on March 26, 2001, at Lourdes Hospital, following a brief illness. The daughter of George E. Riley and Eylla Hughes, she was preceded in death by her sister, Adele Chopak; her brother, Peter J. Riley, her stepsister, Alberta Riley Bonomo; stepbrother, Thomas Riley; and her husband, William J. Dougherty. She is survived by daughters, Elizabeth A. Wood, Binghamton, Jean Knorr and her husband Joseph, Atco, N.J.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and one very special cousin, Catherine Selover, Wilkes-Barre. Following graduation from Myers High School, Olive pursued formal study of Swedish massage in Philadelphia. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, she practiced her skills for 10 years in her sister Alberta's beauty salon on Public Square. In 1950, she joined the staff of the Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley, where she presided over the Women's Health Club for over 50 years until her retirement in June of 2000. During the 1950's she also taught massage at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing. Olive's healing hands and open heart touched the lives of several generations of JCC clients, co-workers, and students. A dedicated and energetic mother, Olive took special pride in the accomplishments of her daughters, Jean, a surgical nurse and graduate of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing, and Elizabeth, a college administrator and graduate of Wilkes College and The Pennsylvania State University. She also supported and celebrated the accomplishments of a number of additional daughters adopted into her heart during the course of her life. To all touched by her life, Olive leaves a legacy of loving and giving, the gift of laughter, and the encouragement to embrace all of life with open arms. A Funeral Mass celebrating Olive's new life in Christ will be held in her parish church, St. Vincent's, 101 Church Street, Plymouth, Pa., on Thursday, March 29, at 9:30 a.m., with visitation from 9 to 9:30. Interment will occur at a future date for the convenience of the family. Those wishing to make a memorial remembrance for Olive may make a contribution in her name to the Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley, 60 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Arrangements are by the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton.