Mary Josephine Dougherty

Mary Josephine (Mary Jo) Rowan Dougherty, 89, of Frederick, passed away on Monday, June 15th at the Homewood Living Frederick. She was married to Leon Patrick “Pat” Dougherty for 55 years prior to his passing in 2013. Mary Jo was the daughter of the late Patrick William and Mary Katherine (Keating) Rowan.

After completing high school at Catholic Girls Central in Cumberland, Mary Jo graduated from Frostburg State Teachers College in 1959 and moved to Frederick in 1963. She retired from the Frederick County Department of Social Services after decades of service.

Mary Jo was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church for over 60 years. She was a fixture at the church and school volunteering in the cafeteria, library, church office, counting weekly collections, Catholic Daughters, and assisting the needy thru the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where she was honored with the 2001 Volunteer Award. She received the Archdiocese of Baltimore Medal of Honor in 2005. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and reading but her favorite activity was keeping up with her four grandchildren.

Surviving are four children, Jeff Dougherty and wife Joni Kinsley, of Stuart, FL, Don Dougherty of Mt. Airy, Mary Pat Dougherty and husband Edwin Mackley, of Frederick, and Julie Brown and husband Steve, of Fernandina Beach, FL, four grandchildren: Chelsea Dougherty, Shannon Dougherty, Keegan Kinsley, and Hagen Mackley. Also surviving are Frank and Peggy Dougherty, brother and sister in-law, Dolores “Dorie” Dougherty, sister in-law, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Cheryl Dougherty (2024).

The family will receive friends from 3:30 – 6:30 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. A Memorial Mass will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 18th at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick, MD 21701, St Vincent de Paul, 112 E Second St, Frederick, MD 21701, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com.