July 8, 1939 — Jan. 3, 2018

Joan Elaine (Davies) Doherty, of Rockford, Michigan, 78, passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday evening, Jan. 3, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. R. Paul Doherty, her parents E. (Edwin) Reginald Davies and Doris Esther (Barber) Davies.

She is survived by daughter, Susan Kathleen (Matthew J.V.) Wilton of Mattawan; sons, Michael Alan (Svetlana) Doherty of Cary, North Carolina, and Richard John (Monica) Doherty of Cedar Springs. Surviving grandchildren are: Allison Elizabeth (Cody) Hug, Courtney Erin Wilton, Emily Kathleen Wilton and Kyle John Doherty; Step-Grandchildren: Yevgeniya Kohan, Kyle David Earl, Joshua Douglas Earl, Emily Elizabeth (Alonzo) Anthony; Great Grandchildren: Noah and Jonah Hug, Aubrey, Chloe and Ethan Earl, Branwyn and Dallan Anthony: sister Shirley Ellen Rosan of Mt Pleasant, several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Joan was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1939. Married Aug. 27, 1960. She was a graduate of Fraser High School and attended Albion College. Joan worked in many levels of business administration and management, notably with Heifer Project International, St. Joseph County Community Mental Health and Southwestern Michigan College, during her husband’s ministerial appointments of: Dryden United Methodist Church in the Detroit Conference, Mt. Zion, Mt. Bethel and St. Paul’s United Methodist Churches in the Baltimore Conference, Constantine, Dowagiac and Twin Lake United Methodist churches of the West Michigan Conference.

Joan was active in many local organizations, groups and boards serving as treasurer for multiple municipal Library’s. She enjoyed sharing in mission work with Heifer Project International, UMCOR, the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force, Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the Methodist Orphanage in Port au Prince, Haiti, the hot lunch program for the Methodiste d’Haiti and the Haitian Artisans for Peace International.

She enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing, traveling and spending as much time as possible with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joan will always be remembered for her great sense of compassion, her caring nature, her laughter, her dedication to her faith and her love of life and those around her. Joan’s wishes were that the mission work continue for the Haitian Artisans for Peace International. Donations can be sent to: HAPI PO Box 68227 Grand Rapids, MI 49516 c/o: Valerie Mossmen Celestine or through the HAPI website: haitianartisans.com.