Obituary: Kathleen Dougherty, Longtime Fair Haven Resident, Day Care Provider

Kathleen M. Dougherty, 63, of Fair Haven, passed away the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Known as "Kathy" or "Nanny Kathy" to all, she is remembered fondly as a good neighbor, day care provider extraordinaire and community-oriented mom to Colleen, Bryan and Andy and wife to Bob, who pre-deceased her a few years ago.

Born in Red Bank on Dec. 27, 1948, to Patrick and Vivian Monahan, Kathy grew up in East Keansburg. After marrying Bob, the couple moved to Fair Haven where they lived for 40 years and hosted many a backyard barbecue, celebration or simple meal with family and friends. She was welcoming to all and was known to pitch in to help out someone in need on a moment's notice.

For 30 years, Kathy cared for children out of her home. Many of those children, now grown, remember her as if she were a family member.

Kathy was predeceased by her beloved husband Bob in 2008 and her parents Vivian and Patrick Monahan. She is survived by: her children Colleen Doogan and her husband Frank, of Shrewsbury; Bryan and his wife Aimee, of Long Branch; and, Andrew and his wife Jessica, of Middletown.

Also surviving are Kathy's eight beloved grandchildren: Conor, Molly, Abigail, Luke, Jack, Declan, Emma and Nate. And she also leaves behind her companion Howard Allen.

Kathy is also survived by Jack Monahan and his wife Paddy and Patrick and his wife Eileen both of Belford and sister-in-law to Kevin and Mary Dougherty of Middletown.

Kathy also leaves behind a deeply saddened neighborhood of longtime friends. She will be sorely missed. Patch will be running a special feature on Kathy Dougherty. If you have any photos or comments you would like to add, please email them to elaine.develde@patch.com.

A visitation will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, on Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 3 to 8 p.m.

A Mass will be held on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, Hance Road, Fair Haven.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be sent in Kathleen's memory to The Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate, according to John E. Day Funeral Home. Kathy's memorial website is also available at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.