Pauline H. Dougherty, 98

Pauline H. Dougherty, 98, passed away Aug. 26, 2023, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.

Born the fifth of 10 children, Pauline was the daughter of the late Charles S. and Katherina (Busolits) Walakovitz of Coplay, Pa. 

Gifted with a helpful demeanor and strong work ethic, Pauline was heavily relied upon by her family to keep the household running. Those skills were further honed after marrying her late husband, Leo Joseph Dougherty, in 1946 and welcoming their only child, Francis (Frank) Joseph Dougherty, in 1947. Pauline added new skills to her repertoire, entering the workforce for Western Electric and then for Russell Stover, where she was promoted to supervisor prior to the death of her husband in 1972. Thereafter, Pauline worked at Kraft Foods before finding her true calling as personal cook to Rev. Msgr. John P. Murphy at St. Thomas More in Allentown, Pa. 

Pauline moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 2004 to be near family. Residing in Woodstock, she faithfully attended St. Mary Catholic Church and various prayer groups with newfound friends. While her grandchildren were at school and unable to stop her, Pauline enjoyed ironing, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. Years later she reclaimed her independence and moved to Poplar Creek Village in Hoffman Estates, where she enjoyed visits from her great-grandchildren and passed the days playing games with her best friend, Libby, until her final transition in 2017 to Valley Hi Nursing Home. There she befriended everyone with her graceful, loving ways and insistence on living “One day at a time.” 

Pauline is preceded in death and welcomed home by her husband, son; parents; siblings Charles Walakovits, Frank Walakovitz, Sister M. Florence MSC, Emma Domitrowits, Rose Walakovits, Teresa Walakovitz, Edward Walakovits, Mary Neupauer, and Catherine Rosenberg; brothers-in-law Stephen Domitrowits and George Neupauer; and sisters-in-law Anna Walakovitz, Helen Walakovits, and Frances Walakovits.

She is survived by daughter-in-law, Anke Dougherty of Woodstock; brother-in-law, Charles Rosenberg of Oxford, Pa.; nieces, Frances Siderias of Bethlehem, Pa., Ruth Marakovits of Northampton, Pa., Maria (Paul) Schubert of Downingtown, Pa., Roseanna Neupauer of Lafayette, Colo., and Karla (Brian) Kelley of Landenberg, Pa.; and nephews, Charles (Beverly) Walakovits of Bethlehem, Pa., Robert (Jean) Walakovitz of Coplay, Pa., Stephen (Jane) Domitrowits of Emmaus, Pa., Edward (Joan) Walakovits of Center Valley, Pa., and Eric (Jennifer) Rosenberg of West Chester, Pa.

Pauline held a special place in her heart for her four grandchildren, Patrick (Jennifer) Dougherty of Schaumburg, Colleen (Cullen) Bailey of Crystal Lake, Kelly Donathan of Crystal Lake, and Brenden (Ryan Shand) Dougherty of Santa Barbara, Calif., while she fiercely loved and adored her seven great-grandchildren, Nickolas, Lillian, Odin, Eleanor, Caddock, Dax, and Roen, all of whom she loved, a bushel and a peck!

Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, 202,3 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with interment in Calvary Cemetery, Woodstock, immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Valley Hi Nursing Home, 2406 Hartland Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.