Frances L. Dougherty

Frances Loretta Dougherty (née McCarthy), a long-time resident of Sea Girt, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her home on January 15, 2022, at the age of 98.

Fran’s upbeat personality and quick wit will be missed. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years James F. Dougherty, Jr., MD, as well as her parents Frances McCarthy and Daniel Joseph McCarthy, her brother Daniel Joseph McCarthy, Jr., and her son-in-law James A. Boozan, MD.

Frances came into this world on December 20, 1923. Both Fran and Jim were born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania. They were married on June 13, 1953. Shortly after, they moved to Chatham, New Jersey, where Jim took a radiologist position at Overlook Hospital. In 1959, Frances and Jim moved to Sea Girt, New Jersey, when Jim accepted the position as chief of radiology at Point Pleasant Hospital. In 1980, they began to share their time between Sea Girt and Jupiter, Florida.

After graduation, Fran worked in the defense industry until the end of World War II. After that, she worked in Philadelphia in personnel for the American Viscose Company until after she married.

Fran had many interests and hobbies, including fashion, music (with a special affection for Frank Sinatra), theater, dancing, golf, and watching sports, most of all football.

Frances is survived by her children Eileen L. Dougherty of Jupiter, Florida, Kathy Dougherty Boozan of Pennington & Sea Girt, New Jersey, Tricia Dougherty of Palm Desert, California, and Elizabeth Dougherty Hebb of Newport, Rhode Island.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Sean M. Allen, Palm Desert, California; James P. Allen, Esq, Alexandria, Virgina; James A. Boozan, Jr. and Hope E. Boozan, both of New York, New York; Laura E. Hebb, Boston, Massachusetts; Claire F. Hebb, Newport, Rhode Island, and many nieces and nephews. She is also fondly remembered by her dear friends the Propert Family of Brielle, New Jersey, and Eileen Groom of Long Branch, New Jersey.

Fran’s Catholic faith was a source of strength and comfort throughout her life. She was a 63 year parishioner of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Sea Girt, New Jersey, as well as St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Juno, Florida.

Fran was involved in her community and was a long time member of the Sea Girt Women’s Club. Fran and Jim were members of Manasquan River Golf Club and Manasquan River Yacht Club, Brielle, New Jersey, and Tequesta Country Club, Tequesta, Florida.

Fran loved to travel; it was a passion of both Fran and her husband Jim. They traveled the world together, experiencing, enjoying and learning about different countries, landscapes, and cultures. Her last big trip was a world cruise at the age of 90, which she embarked upon on her own.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of O’Brien Funeral Home, Wall, New Jersey, www.obrienfuneralhome.com.

Public visitation will be held at O'Brien Funeral Home, Wall, New Jersey, on Friday, January 21, 2022, from 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, Sea Girt NJ on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10AM. If you are unable to attend the funeral in person, but would wish to watch via Livestream, please go to this link https://stmarkseagirt.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St Mark’s Catholic Church Social Concerns Committee, 215 Crescent Pkwy, Sea Girt, NJ 08750 or Domestic Church Media Catholic Radio, PO Box 7509, Trenton, NJ 08628 or Cross Catholic Relief Organization https://crosscatholic.org/donate.