Dawn M. Doherty
Saturday, July 22, 1967
Date of Death:
Monday, October 16, 2023
Age:
56 years old
Dawn M. Doherty
Dawn (Kath) Doherty-Rochester
One of the few benefits cancer has given me is that I’ve had years to contemplate my death. I’ve had time to write my own obituary and here is what I think mattered . . .
Many of you know the basics. Born on 7/22/1967 to Ron and Paula Kath. My little sister (Lisa Kath Gray) was born 18 months after me. We were a tight foursome spending tons of time camping, and boating and fishing on MN lakes. My dad was hard working, funny, calm, and sarcastic. My mom is smart, practical, loud, and tenacious. I hope I was a mix of both of them. My sister and I never lacked for imagination and always had some game, play or variety show in the works. We were total kids of the 80’s and looking back I felt so blessed to have grown up during these times (pre-electronics).
When I was 16, I got a job in Dietary at St. Marys Hospital and eventually became a supervisor. I must have liked it because I stayed there for 21 years. I then moved to Pathology as an Education Program Coordinator. In December of this year, I would have been a Mayo employee for 40 years. Mayo was a good place to work, and I made many meaningful friendships over my work years. I hope I will be remembered as a hard worker and someone that people could count on, trust and respect. BIG shout out to D-unit and DLMP! If you know, you know!
One of the biggest blessings in my life has always been my friend group. I’ve known my bestie since 3rd grade (love you Lisa Lee Maeder), my high school mentor (love you Tammy Lenz Simonson), and my ride or die since college (love you Bobbi Black Tweed). From the GFN to the Mom Squad you ladies represent all who have stood beside me through thick and thin. Being a good friend was always important to me and I feel confident that all who I loved knew exactly how I felt about them.
I married my soul mate, Christopher Doherty, on Sept 5, 1998. He passed away on August 22, 2016, and took a piece of my heart and soul with him. Life looked very different for me after his death and finding joy was hard. What kept me moving was our son (who was only 9 when his dad passed). The thing that matters the most to me in life is that I hope my son (Noah Charles Doherty) regarded me as a good mother. I hope he knows that from the day he was laid into my arms I made a conscious decision to choose him every time. I may not have been perfect, but I hope he knows I did my best to create a life for him that allowed him to thrive and show all he is to the world. If I am angry about anything it’s the fact that I don’t get to finish helping him grow up and become the amazing adult I know he will be. I will always be your guide, Boo, even if I do it from above.
God, family, friendship, sarcasm, humor, Hallmark Christmas movies, tacos, mashed potatoes, dogs, snowstorms, wood fires, Blue Fin Bay, music, showing up, trust, and vulnerability are what mattered to me. My ask would be to remember the good times with me, forgive the bad, watch over my son, and know that we will meet again.
Dawn is survived by her son Noah Doherty, her mother Paula Kath, her niece Amanda Gray and her nephews Davis Gray and Aaron Gray. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents William and Minna Kath, her maternal grandparents William and Mona Freytag, her husband Chris Doherty (2016), her father Ron Kath (2019), and her younger sister Lisa Gray (2022).
A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (5455 50th Ave. NW Rochester, MN) with Father Tom Loomis officiating. Visitation at the church will be held from 9:00 am -11:00 am. A luncheon will immediately follow Mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
A livestream of the Memorial Mass is available at: https://youtube.com/live/e6_JXkZjqtc?feature=share
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Dawn M. Doherty has received the following condolences.
I am a co-worker of Dawn's. She was the Education Program Coordinator for our Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship at Mayo Clinic. I have worked with her for many years. I want to express my deepest sympathy to all of the Doherty and Kath Family members and friends of Dawn. I want you to know she will be deeply missed. She was a wonderful co-worker. You could always count on Dawn to take care of her job responsibilities, to help you when you had a request, and to laugh about the crazy things that happen in life. She was kind, thoughtful, respectful, and genuine. She may be gone in physical presence, but for those of us whose lives were touched by her, she will always be in a special place... our hearts. Take care --my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
May fond memories of your daughter bring you comfort during this hard time in your life. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss, Please accept my condolences and prayers help comfort you and hasten the journey of her soul to Heaven.
Paula, so sad to hear about your daughter's passing. I know you have said before you'd never know she had Cancer to look at her because she never let it get her down. Then I see her picture and go, yep, I see what you meant. Just reading the obit tells me she was a strong woman. Children should never go before their parents. That's what breaks the heart. I will be thinking about you and your grandson.
I am so sorry, Paula, about your daughter's passing. As you already know, the loss of a child is the most difficult loss of all. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Paula, as are those of other co-workers.
Jeanne Haben
I knew Dawn working at Mayo Clinic. Dawn was so incredibly kind and helpful to me when I began in this job. Believe me, I knew nothing! Dawn was there and helped me to no end, whenever I needed her. Her thoughtfulness and caring meant so much to me. For that, I say THANK YOU DAWN! You will be missed greatly. Rest peacefully my dear.
~Laura Petersen
Doherty and Kath Family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
Julian Currie
I will truly miss Dawn. She wss always such a great person and a dedicated, hard worker. I am certain she will be missed dearly by all who knew her. I am glad she had such a reliable group around her as she navigated her many challenges.
Paula and Noah, our hearts ache for you, we are so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Dawn❤️ She was the best friend to our daughter Lisa and we considered her part of our family.
We will miss her dearly and always remember her sweet smile. We all loved her?
Love, blessings and prayers to you both??
Sincerely, Janet and Bob Lee
To the family of Dawn Doherty - Expressing my deepest sympathy to you on Dawn's passing. May memories provide comfort and peace to you at this difficult time.
I met Dawn through her years as an education program coordinator in DLMP. Dawn was cheerful, positive, appreciative, hopeful, and thankful. She spoke kind words to lift others' up. She would wish people good health even as hers was declining.
I'm so very sad that she is no longer able to do that here on earth. I just know she is in heaven with Jesus, now free of all burdens that weighed her down.
Sincerely,
Cindy Carruth
Paula and Noah
I want to express my sincere condolences. I met Dawn at St.Marys. I can't even remember exactly when because in Dawn style she made me feel like we knew each other forever. She started calling me Lee and that has stuck with me to this day. I respected her so much and she set such a good example to everyone. We soon became good friends and she became my supervisor. She met everyone with a smile and made everyone feel welcome. I remember helping them move into their new house using my husbands pickup with the topper and we would laugh because we would keep hitting our head putting stuff in. I was part of the GFN network and we had so many good times, and unfortunately as time went on and families grew, people changed jobs we drifted. We would occasionally see each other downtown and it would be like old times. Dawn is the most courageous, strong woman i kno. She definitely made an impact on my life and many others. Thanks for the memories Dawn, until we meet again.
Lee
Paula and Noah --
I want to provide my deepest condolences for your loss. I met Dawn at SMH Dietary and she became a good friend of Trace Macken (my late/ex husband). Chris and Trace passed away within 6 months of each other. Dawn was a very good friend to all of us. She was so very caring and always thought of others first. Take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with Chris and Trace and they are looking down and protecting Noah.
Love and hugs to all.