Shirley Ann Doherty

Shirley Ann (Toon) Doherty, of Hingham, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2016, surrounded by her family.

Born in Red Springs, NC, Shirley, one of eleven children to Daniel and Helen (Melvin) Toon, moved with her family to Boston, MA in 1944. She loved sharing stories of being a tomboy as a child, such as climbing billboards in downtown Boston, to her father’s amusement and fury.

Shirley graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, and had a long career working at a number of companies, including the renowned Boston department store, Jay’s, but most notably, Shirley worked at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Guest Services for over 35 years. Her bubbly personality and quick wit enamored prominent guests ranging from presidents, foreign dignitaries and movie stars, such as Paul Newman, to regulars she welcomed back to the hotel year after year. It was at the Copley Plaza Hotel, where Shirley met her husband, James Patrick Doherty, who was an employee of the hotel for 50 years. 

A tireless volunteer, Shirley served as a Girl Scout Leader in Hingham for 10 years and was quite active at the Council-level, participating in panels and task forces and attended the Girl Scouts of the USA National Convention in Portland, OR.  Shirley also enjoyed volunteering with the Hingham Historical Society and the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, GA. 

Devoted to her family and friends, Shirley organized countless camping trips, family reunions, and church bazaars.  She was an incredibly compassionate human being and would not hesitate to help a family member or friend in need, and without judgment.

A gourmet cook and “foodie” before it became fashionable, Shirley had an utter zest for life and knew the true meaning of “La Dolce Vita,” one of her favorite pastimes was to enjoy a Bailey’s hot fudge sundae for lunch.

Shirley is survived by her husband, James Doherty of Hingham, MA; son, Craig Simpson of Mattapan, MA; daughter, Jodi Doherty of Union City, NJ; daughter-in-law, Naida Simpson; grandchildren, Joanna Simpson and Naimah Simpson; sisters Myrtle Cruz, Helen Williams, Claudette Kelley and Karimah Rashid; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by sister, Mary Ella Graham; brothers, Ervin, Warren, Daniel, Melvin, and Therman Toon.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Wednesday, June 15 from 4-8pm at the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street, Hingham. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 11:00am in St. Paul’s Church, 147 North Street, Hingham. Burial will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park, 321 High Street, in Canton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the South Shore, 30 Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland, MA or Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, 95 Berkeley Street, Suite 404, Boston, MA 02116.