Deborah E. Dougherty
May 8th, 1952 to February 25th, 2009
in memorium
Oral history is how our ancestors kept record of their loved ones, their deeds, and in doing so, kept the spirit of their families thriving for centuries.
Deborah believed in the importance of this tradition and shared often the history and stories of her family past. The following are stories and memories of Deborah E. Dougherty as told by friends and family in their own words.* They will be updated as needed and are compiled in no particular order.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Deb once here at the house at a gathering that Katharine gave. I saw a determined woman making the best out of a most difficult situation. She was very kind and easy to speak with. It was evident that she was displaying true Grace from God during this part of her life’s journey. God saw Deb’s illness and knew that a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around her and whispered, 'Deb come to ME.'"
Di Heuscher
"I had the privilege of working with Deb when she joined the Student Services Office. She was my right hand and helped me with the daily activities in the office. I could always count on her. I remember when she grew her hair for "locks of love" and I thought what a generous person she was. She always talked about her family and how she loved and enjoyed them. I know she will be missed. It was a pleasure working with her. When I left the department, I truly missed her. May she find peace."
Lorraine Staroscik
Bucks County Community College
"What a lovely tribute to Debbie, I will always remember her smiling face."
Linda Carcaci-Solorzano
"Debbie was a sweet woman and I always enjoyed the few minutes I had speaking with her here at Bucks County Community College. We did not work in the same department but I would often see her around the campus. When she became sick, I would continue to see her because she continued to come to work. Her faithfulness to her job was an inspiration to me. Any time I would ask her how she felt, Debbie never once complained. Again, she ispired me with how she handled her illness. God bless you Debbie; rest in peace."
Clare M. Doyle
Bucks County Community College
"We miss Deb at the office very much and this news is heartbreaking. We saw first hand how brave Deb was and how hard she fought. As her supervisor, I marveled at how Deb came to work faithfully and did her work with earnestness, passion, poise and grace, despite the mounting obstacles her illness placed in front of her. It may comfort you to know that Deb made a very, very large and significant contribution to our Student Services unit over the past two years especially. During that time she helped me in developing a customer service- oriented program for responding to sometimes routine and sometimes complex inquiries from the public about our services. I can say without hesitation that Deb took this project very seriously, it was near and dear to her heart, She knew how much it meant to offer help and encouragement to someone who may be looking into college for the first time, or returning to college. She developed for us a model program and she set the bar high. We aspire and will promise, in honor of Deb to maintain the standards of excellence that she set for us. We know she is smiling down to see us implementing that which she set in motion and that which offers hope and encouragement to those who may have little or none. The program she developed does this in its own way. Deb was a very special person, it was an honor to know her and work with her. I am so sorry this happened to her and her life was ended too soon. She had so much more she wanted to do. I am so sorry for you, those she left behind, for your grief and sadness and may your memories comfort you and know her faith meant she passed peacefully."
Christine Hagedorn
Bucks County Community College
"What a lovely tribute exemplifying a life well-lived and much loved."
Colleen & Ken Kilbert
"Deb was the first person that I met when I came to BCCC. She made me feel so welcome and even took me out to lunch the first day I was employed. She was so very happy to have someone to talk with in the seat next to her. We talked about many things and I learned so much from Deb. She was a wonderful person and friend. I shall miss her always. I remember the time I gave Deb a ride in my VW convertible and how excited she was to have the top down and have the wind in her hair. We shared many laughs over the three years that I was privileged to work with her. Not many can say that they were actually friends with someone that they worked with – but I can certainly say that about Deb. She was my dear friend, and I loved her."
Katharine Hazlett
Bucks County Community College, Student Services
"From the first day we met, Deb accepted me and welcomed me into the family. She called me her "Daughter-in-Love" long before I was her Daughter-in-Law. Elliot has told me often that his mother always wanted a daughter, and I hope that in the nearly eleven years I knew her that I was, in some part, just that. She was, for me, a wonderful friend whom I miss and will treasure always."
Carissa Starr McGill-Dougherty
daughter-in-law LOVE
If you'd like to contribute use the form below:
~ Wetzel and Son Contact Form ~
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*No changes have been made save minor corrections
or edits for length.
Donation Information
for the BCCC Foundation Scholarship
for the Disabled Students of
Bucks County Community College
to be established in Deborah Dougherty's honor.
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