Jane Dougherty, phone saleswoman

Jane Dougherty, 79, of Havertown, a consumer services saleswoman for the former Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania and later an assistant manager for Verizon, died Friday, Nov. 4, of dementia at Broomall Rehab Nursing Center.

From 1956 to 1991, Mrs. Dougherty worked full-time at Bell. After a first try at retirement, she returned to Verizon, one of the offshoots of the Bell System antitrust breakup, where she was employed for 15 more years. She retired for good in 2006.

Born in Philadelphia into a family of devout Catholics, Mrs. Dougherty drew on a deep Christian faith, and once she had her own family, it, too, was infused with religion.

"Her parents were very religious as well, so it was a big part of our family growing up," said son Larry.

A 1955 graduate of Merion Mercy Academy in Merion, Mrs. Dougherty went to night school at what is now St. Joseph's University. There, she met Andy "Doc" Dougherty. They married in 1958 and had five children, whom they reared in Upper Darby before moving to Havertown in 2000.

He became a St. Joseph's sports information director and, later, a member of the Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fame for his role as a sports administrator.

Her son described Mrs. Dougherty as the matriarch who was always available to her husband, children, and grandchildren.

"It was never about herself," he said. "It was always her husband and kids, and then grandkids. Nothing special, but everything special, and she did that all while working full-time and taking care of my father's family, too. She was the epitome of a selfless person."

She found time to run a youth bowling league at the 69th Street Bolero Alley from 1975 to 1985 and also was a Cub Scout leader.

In retirement, Mrs. Dougherty was active in the Pioneers, a charity arm of the former phone company that provided books to young children.

Despite battles with colon and lung cancer and two arduous knee replacements, she never complained, her son said.

"I remember taking off and spending my birthday with her while she had a chemotherapy treatment a few years ago. When she complained about me doing that on my day, I told her there was no one I would rather spend it with," he said.

Dougherty, senior associate athletic director/communications at Temple University, said his mother supported her husband's job at St. Joseph's, which entailed long hours. She also attended St. Joseph's Hawks basketball games because they were her husband's passion.

"She allowed my dad to do so much to help others with his job," her son said, "and never complained about his long hours, even though hers seemed longer."

Mrs. Dougherty enjoyed the beach in Wildwood. "She loved a good novel and having her feet in the sand," her son said. "I think that was her time to relax."

She loved to sing, laugh, and watch the Mummers Parade.

Her husband died in 2005. A son, Andy Jr., also died earlier.

Besides her son, she is survived by sons Brian and Brendan; daughter Mary Ficco; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A viewing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, will be followed by a second viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Funeral Home of John Stretch, 236 E. Eagle Rd., Havertown. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Denis Church, 2401 St. Denis Lane, Havertown. Interment is in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.

Donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, Pa. 19066.

bcook@phillynews.com

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