Joan E. Doherty

Joan Elizabeth (Arnold) Doherty, 86 of Salem, NH passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 20, 2018 at Kirkwood Corners Senior Living Center after a period of declining health.

Joan was born on January 28, 1932 in Stamford, CT to O. William and Elsie (Feugill) Arnold. She was a long-time resident of Salem, NH, then living with her son and family in Concord, NH. Most recently, she resided at Kirkwood Corners in Lee, NH.

Joan was predeceased by her loving husband, Neale E. Doherty. Her family members include her children, Stephen A. Doherty and his wife Emily (Webster) of Newmarket, NH and Robert N. Doherty and his wife Lynda (Brochu) of Concord, NH. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Joan cherished her family, especially her five grandchildren, Tyler, Justin, and Lindsay of Concord, NH and Stephen and Elizabeth of Newmarket, NH. She enjoyed cooking with and for the children, especially treats for Thanksgiving. The children cherish memories of the holiday, as they always stayed at Nana’s house.  She greatly enjoyed time spent caring for the grandchildren.

When Joan was a little girl she was a member of the Rainbow Girls troop 15. After the meetings she would go with her father to get an ice cream at Cherry Valley ice cream. Years later she would meet her future husband while they both worked at an ice cream shop.

She was an avid gardener and enjoyed tending the flower beds at her home.  Joan was also an accomplished baker and baked wedding cakes for a number of family members, including her own.

Joan most notably worked at the Salem High School in the cafeteria. She also worked at H.K. Webster Grain Company in Lawrence for many years as well as Armstrong Well Company in Windham, NH. After retirement, she proudly continued to run her own cleaning business.

Joan was a lifelong member of the First Church Congregational in Methuen, MA, serving many roles, from Sunday school teacher to singing in the choir then becoming a deacon.  She was also a long-standing member of the Eastern Star.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Kirkwood Corners and Rockingham VNA Hospice for the loving care provided to Joan while at their facility.

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Tuesday September 25, 2018 from 4:30pm to 8pm at the Dewhirst & Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen.  Funeral services will be on Wednesday September 26 at 10:00am at First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen, MA.  Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. Memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to the organ fund of The First Congregational Church. To leave an online condolence, please visit Joan’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan E. Doherty, please visit our floral store.