Photo courtesy of George L Doherty Funeral Service, Inc - Somerville
Apr 5, 1953 - Apr 20, 2025
Jane was a friend for many decades. While we lived on different sides of the country, we were fortunate to remain friends, keep in touch, and even got to vacation together a couple of times over the past 6 years.
Jane was special. I pray that she knew that.
And I will miss her.
My condolences to her very much loved family.
Theresa Galvin-Salerno
May 02, 2025 | Helendale, CA | Friend
Dear Nancy Natalie, Ward & Doherty family & friends, our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to your devoted, inspirational, courageous, determined, adventurous loved one named Jane, who undoubtedly loved each one of you and laughed often with
May you rest in Eternal peace~
Michelle Donald
April 25, 2025 | Methuen, MA | Friend
So sorry for your loss, she sounded like an outstanding woman.
Sending love your way .
Helen Centofanti
April 25, 2025 | N Andover, MA
A single memorial tree
May you rest in peach my friend, you will be greatly missed. Always will remember all the fun we had, you were a wonderful friend. I was glad you were my friend. Love, Tony and Paula
Paula Barilone
April 25, 2025 | Friend
Single Memorial Tree
Maureen Fowler
April 24, 2025 | North Reading, MA
Jane was one to light up a room with her smile ! Always positive and ready to take life and all that it threw at her ! Heaven has just gained an amazing angel ... My deepest sympathy to all her loved ones .. I know I will truly miss her from the bottom of my heart.
Pascale Berty
April 24, 2025 | Lexington, MA | Friend
Jane was a fifth grade student of mine in my first year of teaching at the Cutler School in Somerville. I remember her as a bright and caring young woman. My condolences to her sons and family.
Paul Coakley
April 24, 2025 | Woburn, MA | Teacher
Jane was our babysitter back in the late 60's. My parents were friendly with her parents. She was the sweetest person. Condolences to Jane's family.
Kathy Hunt-Gadpaille
April 24, 2025 | Friend
She was a good neighbor enjoyed her company.sorry she has left us
Beverly Balboni
April 23, 2025 | Malden, MA | Neighbor
Jane M. (Ward) Doherty, of Medford, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Easter Sunday, she was 72.
Born on Easter Sunday in 1953 and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Cathleen "Babe" (Dooley) and William F. Ward and the beloved wife of the late Brian P. Doherty.
Jane was the devoted mother of Derek Doherty of Medford and David Doherty and his wife Stephanie of Wilmington and cherished grandmother of Madalyn and Brian Doherty.
Dear sister of Nancy (Ward) Natale and her husband Ed of Methuen and the late Cathleen Ward and William F. Ward, Jr. and a cherished aunt of several loved nieces and nephews.
Jane bravely battled breast cancer for 13 years, despite the challenges she and her family would face, she continued making memories and sharing adventures. She out fished the entire family. Her trophy brown trout from Colebrook NH hung on the living room wall for years, a stark reminder to anyone walking by of her bragging rights. She danced to doowop until the early morning hours and spent many Sunday nights naming that tune with Dad, Lynn and Terry. Most nights Terry was on the losing end and would have to tuck a 20 behind the picture in the kitchen wall.
She was a hockey mom and drove all over kingdom come taking me and my brother to games. We stargazed down the point at our camp in Maine. We would go to old Orchard every year and get a new Wanted poster of me and my brother. She drove me and my friends all the way to Pennsylvania just to go to rollerblading camp. She even housed a couple of Canadien hockey players when my brother played Medford Rec. when we were kids. She loved animals and had lots of them, but particularly loved her two cats Gus and Stupid dearly.
Later in life she went by Nana. She loved Brian and Maddy with all of her heart and became a fixture at the local hockey rink. So much so that Brian’s entire team referred to her as Nana Doherty.
She lived every day to the fullest. She enjoyed the little things. She had a bucket list and she finished it all. She flew all over the place and cruised the high seas. She loved to take photos. Her Somerville toughness showed through in her fight and she lived life on her terms. She battled Cancer and SHE WON. Over and over again. In the end she was just tired and that was HER decision. I can only dream of having her courage.
She was an inspiration to us all and we should all live by her example. Live in the moment. Enjoy the little things and live every day like it was your last.
Honoring Jane, relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Friday, April 25th from 4PM-7PM and to a Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Saturday morning, April 26th in St. Joseph Church, 118 High St. Medford at 10AM, all are asked to please meet at church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory can be made to METAVIVOR, in support of Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, Support and Awareness at www.metavivor.org.
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