Phyllis Jane Doherty

Phyllis was born in Oakland, CA to Philip and Amelia Comber (Rohrbach). During her childhood Phyllis lived briefly in Pittsburg, CA, settling back in Oakland (age 4 yrs) and then in San Francisco. She always excelled in her studies, skipping two grades, coaching younger students, and receiving the American Legion Honors Award. Phyllis entered Lowell High School at age 12 and was sad to leave when her parents moved to Santa Clara, a small town in those days. She graduated from Santa Clara High in 1943.

Phyllis had many stories that she remembered and loved to share about her early years. She talked about how proud she was to help her father cap beer bottles during Prohibition and her summer weekend trips to Santa Cruz to go out on the Stagnaro’s Fishing Boats. Particularly exciting to Phyllis was her 2-week trip with her parents on a German passenger freighter up the coast to Canada. As a young child, her parents built a boat in their backyard (the “Dutch”) where her family lived for a few years and she spent many hours rowing around in her little rowboat with her dog “Jip”. She had fond memories of the summer that their boat was anchored off the Main Beach in Santa Cruz.

In June 1945, Phyllis married George Doherty (Santa Clara High Class of 1943) and they lived in Santa Clara until 1980 before moving to Santa Cruz, the city where they first honeymooned. Santa Cruz always held a special place in her heart and was a favored spot for many family summer vacations and long walks along West Cliff. Phyllis was a homemaker and after raising two children, she worked as a bookkeeper for Luce Carmel Meat in Monterey. She loved to read, garden, and quickly complete Sudoku puzzles, most always in ink. Phyllis loved driving to British Columbia on numerous vacations with George, always eager to explore different towns along the way. She was preceded in death by her husband George after 68 years of marriage.

Phyllis is survived by her children (Dennis, Eileen), her grandchildren (Dan, Kristin, Erin, Scott, Jeff, Caitlin) and her nine great grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed at our family gatherings. The family wishes to give special thanks to her doctor Margaret MacMillan, Sutter visiting nurses, and Hospice of Santa Cruz. There will be a private seaside gathering at an ash scattering site.