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In Memory

Sister Elizabeth Dougherty of the Blessed Trinity.
December 20, 1920 – December 12, 2011

Elizabeth Dougherty was born on December 20, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA. Her parents were Mary and Hugh Dougherty. They had three girls Elizabeth, Catherine and Margaret.   Sr. Elizabeth is survived by her sister Margaret, nieces & nephews and grandnieces & grand nephews.

Elizabeth attended 12 years of Catholic school and showed signs of an apostolic spirit early on from her activities in several Church groups. After high school she worked several years as a clerk for Arco the Atlantic Refining Company. She continued to be an active Catholic in her parish, Good Shepherd and eventually was connected with the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate through Sr. Ruth.

Elizabeth entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity on August 5, 1952. Her living classmates are Sisters Catherine Murray and Margarita Rivera.

Sr. Elizabeth was part of the first class to take vows in the then new Fr. Judge Memorial Chapel on March 25, 1955.  Elizabeth took the name Sr. Mary Hugh of the Blessed Trinity, her parents’ names.

After first vows she served on several missions as a caseworker in Catholic Charities including:
Montgomery AL, Fords, NJ, Huntsville, AL, Bethlehem, PA., as well as a  year as Parish worker on Don Bosco Philadelphia, PA.
During this time Sister managed to attend college classes part time and received her Bachelors degree in 1960.
In Pottsville, PA. Sister served as both Co- Supervisor at the agency and Custodian in the Cenacle. In 1969 she attended Fordham receiving her MSW in 1971. Sister served 3 years in the E. New York Office of Catholic Charities.
Sister Elizabeth had a great concern for the poor. From reading through some of her letters to the General Council over the years Elizabeth often struggled with whether her current mission was serving the poor or not. 

Her preference in social work was direct service and advocacy.

In 1974 Sister was missioned to CSS in Philadelphia. She served in Chester Couty for 8 years. After a few years in Catholic Charities in Greensburg she came to the Motherhouse to work in the Program for Retired Sisters.

In 1988 Sister went south. She was school social worker at St. Patrick’s in Phenix City. Then she went to Tallahassee,FL for 3 years at Casa Calderon. She returned to Phenix City in 1994. In 2000 Sister came to the Motherhouse and became part of the Ministry of Prayer.
Sr. Elizabeth was a woman of many interests. She loved to read and liked to do some watercolor painting.  In her letters over the years her devotions to the Trinity, to the Blessed Mother and to St. Therese of Liseux stand out.

Evident throughout her life was a spirit of gratitude to God and to others.

Thank you for your years of loving service Sister Elizabeth. We thank the Triune God for the gift of your life.