CRANSTON — Sister Mary Nathan Doherty, 81, a Sister of Mercy and a retired educator and administrator, died May 24 at Mount St. Rita Health Centre.
Born Frances Isabel Doherty in East Providence, she was the daughter of the late Louis F. and Sarah Isabel (Robertson) Doherty. She was the stepdaughter of the late Florence Doherty. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1945 and professed her vows on Aug. 16, 1951.
Sister Doherty was a 1945 graduate of St. Mary Academy-Bay View. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the former Catholic Teachers College, Providence and a master’s degree from Rhode Island College.
During her 48 years of ministry in the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, she served as principal of St. John Baptist School, New Bedford, 1966-68; and Holy Family/Holy Name School, New Bedford, 1973-1975 and 1978-1989.
Sister Doherty retired in 1996.
In addition to her religious family, the Sisters of Mercy, she leaves a sister, Hope McDowell of Warwick and nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late James W. Doherty and L. Carol Saunders.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on May 27 in Mount St. Rita Chapel.
Burial followed in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.
