106 year old Longford lady dies in Brooklyn

One of Longford’s oldest people, Ballinalee lady Bridget Doherty (nee Baxter), passed to her eternal reward, aged 106, on Sunday, November 19 in Brooklyn.

Born in Drumderg, Ballinalee in 1917 to small farmers John and Mary Baxter, the young Bridget attended Lislea National School a few fields away where the teacher was the great late Master Greene who also lived to 106.

Bridget received the sacraments in Ballinalee old church and she was baptised by the late Canon Markey. She received confirmation in Clonbroney Church with the late Bishop Joseph Hoare. He was the bishop when Sean Connolly was shot in the Selton Hill ambush.

Bridget’s nephew John Baxter and his wife still live in Ballinalee.

Bridget married her husband, Ballaghaderreen native Stephen Doherty in London in 1946 and immigrated to New York a few years later, settling in Brooklyn where she lived for the rest of her life.

The day Bridget and Stephen landed in New York it was a steaming hot July afternoon. Not being accustomed to the weather, she often said that she contemplated just getting back on the boat and returning to London.

Bridget’s husband Stephen passed away suddenly in 1972. After working in various local hospitals and nursing homes, at the age of 79, Bridget moved into her daughter Mary’s house where she lived until she died peacefully on November 19.

During these many years, Mary was always there to insure that Bridget received the love and care she needed.

Bridget is survived by her loving children, Martin and Mary, and four grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Stephen and Thomas.

Bridget lay in repose at the Joseph G Duffy Funeral Home, 255 9th Street, Brooklyn, on Sunday, November 26 followed by Funeral Mass on Monday, November 27 at the Holy Name Church, Prospect Park West, Brooklyn.

Expressions of sympathy for the family of the late Bridget Doherty (nee Baxter) may be shared at www.josephgduffy.com