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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Dolores “Dee” Dougherty

Dolores “Dee” Dougherty, 91, passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2026, surrounded by her four children. Born, Dolores Carmella Battaglia, in 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware, Dee attended Ursuline Academy for High School and graduated from the University of Delaware.  In 1959, she married the love of her life, Paul Dougherty, and they enjoyed 51 years of marital bliss while raising their four children, yet still finding time to work, travel and enjoy their many friends.

Teaching was Dee’s main passion. She taught Kindergarten at Forwood Elementary in the Brandywine School District for over 30 years, where she helped shape the lives of countless children.  After retiring, she enjoyed attending her monthly “retired teachers” luncheons up until the end of her life. Dee’s other passion was watching sports, especially her beloved Phillies.  Her knowledge of the players and their stats was amazing.  Throughout her long life she enjoyed many other interests, even dabbling in guitar lessons and belly dancing but her favorite pastimes were shopping for clothes and getting her hair done, which anyone that ever saw Dee could attest to.

Dee is survived by her four children, her son Greg Dougherty (Sheri), her daughter, Shawn Dougherty (James), her son, Chris Dougherty (Wendy), and her daughter Stephanie Lambros (Pete) as well as three surviving grandchildren, Paul Dougherty, Shane Dougherty, and Courtney Kantor. Dee is now once again reunited with her beloved husband, Paul and her granddaughter Katie in Heaven.

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Funeral Services

Services for Dee will be held on June 24, 2026, at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, DE.  There will be a visitation at 10am followed by a mass at 11am.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to the Katie and Paul Dougherty Neuroblastoma Fund at UCSF.  The address is UCSF Foundation, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339.  Please make checks payable to the UCSF Foundation, with a note indicating that your gift is for the Katie and Paul Dougherty Neuroblastoma Fund in memory of Dee Dougherty.  Memorial gifts can also be made online by visiting tiny.ucsf.edu/dougherty.

Condolences

    Peter Kopf writes,
    My daughter Kathryn was very fortunate to have Mrs, Dougherty for Kindergarten almost 40 years ago at Forwood Elementary. She gave her the academic foundation she needed for the rest of her education. Kathryn went on to become the Principal Dancer for Disney Cruise Lines and Tokyo Disney. After Kathryn's performing career, she became a ballet teacher and ballet company owner, instructing many of her students to professional careers like herself. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Dougherty's family on her passing.
    06/11/2026 08:22 am
    Anthony Selvaggi writes,
    My sincere condolences to the passing of Dee. Dee and Paul were iong time friends to my wife and me. I will miss our lengthy phone calls. Sorry to inform you that I will not be able to attend the funeral because I no longer drive due to failing eyesight.. God bless her in Heaven. Anthony Seivaggi 506 32nd. St Ocean City, NJ 08226
    06/11/2026 10:54 am
    Richard Reiner writes,
    Aunt Dee, better known to me as just Dee, we were close and did many things together. We both shared a love of sports and she was a devout Phillies fan. The summers were much more fun for me because of Dee. I will always cherish the one on one time I spent with her over the past three years. We had so many wonderful conversations and laughs together. I loved getting her coffee every morning and meals during the day. She teased me by saying that she would like me to be there full time to take care of her. Dee was one of a kind and I loved her for it.
    06/11/2026 01:27 pm
    Dr. James Fierro lit a candle and writes,
    Some things you never forget. I was a first grade student at St. Mary Magdalen School who was having difficulty with reading and Mrs. Dougherty tutored me for one year. Her time was appreciated and well spent. It was the beginning of my medical career. She was a wonderful person who helped many children. May God Bless her and her family. Dr. James Fierro
    06/13/2026 03:31 pm
    Melanie Reiner Gillespie lit a candle and writes,
    What stands out most about my aunt Dee is her passion for teaching, and the joy of visiting her home to spend time with my cousins. My summer memories invariably feature journeys to Wilmington, Delaware, where my Aunt Dee was a well-known figure. Her reputation as a remarkable educator, dedicated to transforming the lives of her students, resonated throughout the community. It was during those formative years that I aspired to follow in her footsteps, nurturing and inspiring others just as she did. Aunt Dee, you will forever hold a special place in my thoughts and prayers, and I am grateful for instilling in me a love for teaching.
    06/13/2026 08:23 pm
    Priscilla Howard writes,
    It is impossible to capture all that Aunt Dee meant to those of us who were fortunate enough to know and love her! She was not only loving, kind, funny and always a fashion setter, but a fabulous mother keeping the 4 children to actually grow up and thrive! She was like a sister to me as we met shortly before I married her cousin Ron, her “little brother”. She greeted me at the train station in Wilmington with the 4 awesome “angels” and that was the start of many wonderful times with Dee, Paul and the clan! She will never be forgotten ❤️
    06/14/2026 02:29 pm
    Christel writes,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Over the years, whenever you came into town, I truly enjoyed our regular visits to restaurants with your mom and Dean's mom. I loved listening to their stories and perspectives on life. I always admired your mom's sharp mind and the genuine interest she took in others. As fellow elementary school teachers, we had a special connection, and I picked up so much from our conversations. Taking pride in her appearance, she always looked so elegant, impeccably dressed and lovely as ever. She carried herself with such grace and style. Please know that you and family are in my thoughts. She was a remarkable woman, and I feel fortunate to have known her.
    06/20/2026 09:06 am
    Linda Truka Forsberg lit a candle and writes,
    I remember how wonderful she was as Janis' kindergarten teacher. Never realized I would become best friends with her daughter Stephanie in high school. She definitely made a lasting impact on so many children and their families in Wilmington. Please know that I am thinking of you and your whole family at this time. Sending my deepest condolences and keeping you all in my heart and thoughts. Linda
    06/22/2026 12:21 pm
    Diane Love writes,
    Both of my children had Dee for kindergarten. What a wonderful teacher & person
    06/24/2026 04:37 pm
    Chris Dougherty-DeVries writes,
    I’ll always remember Aunt Dee’s infectious laughter, amazing fashion sense, and her zealous love for the Phillies. I also remember as a kid, being thrilled to be invited to dinner when Aunt Dee and her sisters would spend the day making fabulous meals (chef’s kiss!). Coming from the Dougherty side of the family, the meals could never compete. I can still conjure the aroma that came out of that kitchen! My deepest condolences to Greg, Shawn, Chris and Steph. With love, Christine
    08/10/2026 03:54 pm

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