Obituary of Patrice Doherty

Patrice (Pat) Factor Doherty passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 with family at her side.  Pat was born April 29, 1925, in Boston, MA and was the daughter of Harry C. Factor and Anna Pope Factor. 

She spent her early formative years growing up in the Boston area and was a graduate of the Teachers College of Boston in 1947.  Upon graduation she moved out west with a college girlfriend and started her teaching career in Portland, Oregon. It was there that she met and married her husband of 46 years, Patrick E. Doherty in 1949.  Following Patrick’s hire with Dupont (SRP) as an Analytical Chemist, the two moved to Aiken in 1954 where Pat continued her elementary teaching career at North Aiken Elementary.  Interrupted by a brief two-year stint in Buffalo, NY, the couple returned to Aiken for good in 1961 and after completing her family of four children resumed her teaching career at the old Aiken Elementary School (Aiken Library) where she was a first and second grade teaching fixture for the next two decades.  She taught there long enough to make the transition from the old school to the current school facility before retiring.  Even in retirement she enjoyed being one of the new school’s favorite substitute teachers because she just loved her connection with teaching young children.  Later in life she especially enjoyed running into many of her former students and even children of former students and sharing old stories of their classroom time together.

Pat was an active parishioner at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church stretching into eight decades.  She enjoyed playing bridge and formed many close and long-lasting friendships through that pastime.  Pat was also active with the old Aiken Community Playhouse and enjoyed playing several lead roles in the 70’s and 80’s in such productions as “Mame”, “Auntie Mame”, and “You Can’t Take It with You”.  In retirement she also enjoyed travel and counted various trips to Ireland, England and France with various family members as highlights.

Pat was predeceased by her parents and her husband Patrick.

She is survived by three sons, Mathew Edward (Malinda) Doherty of Aiken, SC, Charles Martin (Jamie) Doherty of Winchester, VA, Brendan Francis (Julie) Doherty of Aiken, SC; her daughter Patricia Anne Doherty of Santa Rosa, CA; and three grandchildren, Elaine, Ryan, and Emilie.

The family would like to commend special family friend Joy Silver for her tireless devotion and assistance with Pat’s care over her final years. 

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church or to St. Mary’s School by sending contributions to the church office located at 203 Park Ave SE Aiken, SC 29801.

A Prayer Service will be held beginning at 6:30PM, Thursday, September 23, 2021 with visitation following until 8:30PM, at The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave, SW, Aiken, SC 29801. 

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10AM, Friday, September 24, 2021 at old St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church located at 215 Park Ave, SW Aiken, SC 29801 with the Very Reverend Father Gregory Wilson as celebrant.  Final Rite of Committal (private for family) will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com.