Phyllis Dougherty

Phyllis (Minnekine) Dougherty of Brockton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the age of 82 from the devastating disease of alzheimers. Phyllis was a farm girl born on April 13, in Salamanca, New York. Her early life centered on school, farm and family. She moved to Rochester, New York, graduated from business school and found work at a bank.

In Rochester, she met and married her loving husband Thomas. They moved to the Boston area and raised two loving children, Mark and Michelle who married Tony Heath. Phyllis is survived by two sisters and a brother as well as many nieces and nephews. During Phyllis’s life journey, it brought her to many work adventures, a visit to over forty countries, many community volunteer activities and a mountain of friends.

Her outgoing and congenial attitude led to her to an inn sitting job adventure and authoring a “How To InnSit” book. As a sales manager at the Colonial Inn and the Radison Hotel she serviced Jordan’s Queen Knorr and astronaut John Glen. Her tour guide career led many overseas visitors to learn of Boston and Concord’s history. School photographer, office manager and more were her many and varied working adventures. 

Volunteering was an essential and integral part of her character. As the Massachusetts Jaycee-ette State President she met with fellow members throughout the state as well as the then Governor Dukakis. Creating flower bouquets at the Power of Flowers Project was her latest love. Heart Fund Chair, Camp Fire Girls, New England Quilt Museum and Merrimac Repertory board member, Teen Center Committee are only some more slices of her volunteer life. Sociability with a smile led to her mountain of friends. Always time to visit a friend in need, share a glass of wine or answer a call for volunteers. Neighbor friends, friends across the state, friends across the country, friends overseas. They all remember and love Phyllis. This perhaps is her best remembered legacy.

A Celebration of Phyllis’s Life will be held on September 7th to share stories and memories. Please contact a family member for more information. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Power of Flowers Project or the Alzheimer’s Association.