Ruth Elizabeth Doherty, 78, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, passed away in Manassas, Virginia on December 6, 2021. Ruth was born on January 5, 1943 to Ruth and Joseph Olsen, Sr., in Boston, Massachusetts.
She graduated from Medford High School in 1960. Ruth moved soon after to Pittsfield, MA to own and run the Dunkin Donuts franchise in Colstville. She later worked for many years at Adams Supermarket.
Then, she decided to go back to school in Nursing. She was an RN at Berkshire Medical Center, in several different roles.
She was an avid volunteer in many community programs, such as Tanglewood, Clark Art Institute, and many other events and activities.
Ruth was very active in the Alcoholics Anonymous community with many speaking engagements, sponsoring, and mentoring. She was very social and had many friends.
Her love of music brought her to piano lessons late in life.
Ruth recently moved to Wingate Residences at Melbourne Place in Pittsfield, after more than 50 years as a Dalton, MA resident. She really enjoyed and thrived in that environment, with many friends and activities.
Ruth is survived by her son, James “Jim” Doherty and his wife, Cheryl; grandchildren, Chauna, Jaclyn, Kyle, Tre, and Savon; 8 great-grandchildren; Her brother Joseph Olsen Jr. and his wife Collette Cavegn, and numerous very close nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by many other relatives and close friends.
Ruth is predeceased by her two beloved sons, John and Billy, and her two sisters Carol Davis and Marie Knight.
A funeral service will be held at Berkshire First Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, December 18, 2021, 10:00 AM, at 165 North St. Dalton, MA 01226, with burial to follow at 11:00 AM at Ashuelot Cemetery, 189 Ashuelot St. in Dalton, MA.
A reception will follow directly after at the Dalton American Legion, 258 North St. Dalton, MA 01226.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in loving memory of Ruth Elizabeth Doherty to LUPUS Foundation of America www.lupus.org or your local women’s shelter.