Kathleen Doherty

Kathleen Doherty, 86, peacefully departed this life on October 7, 2011, in Crystal Lake Illinois. She was born June 30, 1925, in Dalmuir, Scotland, to Hugh and Kathleen (Lynn) McClure. She survived the German bombing of Clydebank in 1941, spending a harrowing evening in a movie theater with her younger sister. In 1947, she married Owen Doherty.She emigrated to Australia and settled in New Norfolk, Tasmania, where six of her children were born.She was deeply impressed with the wild beauty of Tasmania, and she kept it fondly in her heart for all of her life. In 1960, she relocated to the United States, where she had two more children.She settled first in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and then in Rockford, Illinois, in 1966.She was a member of both St. Mary'¢s and St. Peter'¢s parishes in Rockford, as well as St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake; she made many good friends at each.She is survived by her sister,Margaret (Peter) Rainey of Dumbarton, Scotland; her children, James Hugh Doherty, of Delaware,Kathleen Mary (G. Christopher) Daly of Crystal Lake, IL, Patricia Mary (the late Gary) Dale of Florence, SC, Frances Mary Doherty (Robert Cooper) of Reno, NV, Brendan Owen Doherty, of Rockford, IL, Eugene Gerard Doherty (Rose D'¢Andrea) of Rockford, IL, and Margaret Mary Doherty (Gregory Porter) of Carrboro, NC; seventeen grandchildren (Kristen and James Paul Doherty; Christopher Daly; Jessica Morris and Daniel, Aaron, Kathleen and Patrick Harriott; Lily and Sadie Cooper; Bryce Lampe; Rachel, Brian and John Doherty; and Grace, Reese, and Liam Porter several greatgrandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.She is predeceased by her parents; her sisters Elizabeth (Jack) Cox and Mollie Klus; brotherinlaw Jan Klus; and one child who died before his birth.The greatest joy in her life came from her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren.They will always remember her laughter, her love of Celtic music, and her incomparable Scottish shortbread.The legacy they inherit is her strength, her independence, and her unyielding determination. She has achieved what she urged them to strive for:she fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith.Visitation will be at Fitzgerald'¢s Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.A funeral mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14.In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois or the Rock River Valley Food Pantry.