Marial Dougherty

5 February 1923 – 14 October 2020 Marial was born in Chicago, IL, in 1923 of parents Joseph and Julia Puhl who emigrated from Hungary in 1914. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 44 years, Joseph Dougherty, her sister Lee Travers, and her brothers John Puhl and Raymond Puhl. Marial is survived by her three children all residing in Florida, Joseph P. Dougherty, Jr., Julie M. Kearney, Celeste D. Bauer, and her seven grandchildren, Joseph (Joey) P. Dougherty III, Sydney R. Dougherty, Mary Katherine (Kate) Kearney, Kelly Elizabeth Kearney, Kristina (Krissy) R Kearney, Brandon J. Bauer, and Alyssa L. Bauer. Also surviving is her sister-in law Irene Puhl (Maryland) and her four children Renee, Curt, Lisa, and Michelle; her brother John’s 4 children Larry, Carol, Nancy, and Janice; and her sister Lee’s eight children Marcia, Troy, Robin, Stanley, Kim, Thomas, Rick, and Ted. From 1940 to 1945, Marial worked in the business world and during World War II she was employed by A.O. Smith in their Laboratory Office. In September 1945 to January 1950 she was employed by the Milwaukee Vocational School as Boys’ Coordinator. During her spare time, she was actively involved at the YMCA in the planning of activities for the Armed Forces during World Warr II and for visitations to the Home for Dependent Children. After being employed for almost ten years, Marial attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. During the summers, while working on her degree, she worked on the ship as the ship’s Purser. After three and a half years attending the University, she received a B.S. degree in Education. She then attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where she later received her M.A. Marial loved to travel and she accepted a position as Club and Entertainment Director for the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan. For 2 and a half years, she planned and directed activities for the men based in Camp Sendai and Camp Whittington in Japan. While in Sendai, Japan, Marial spent time at the Far East Network broadcasting a program for American Women in Japan, as well as volunteering to teach English Diction to Japanese High School students. When she could arrange to take a weekend off, she would travel with a group of American teachers to Tokyo for a stay at a hotel taken over by the Military for American rest and recreation. At the hotel, Marial and her friends enjoyed great food, dancing, hot baths, and lots of rest. The group also enjoyed touring Tokyo and the surrounding areas, the Kabuki Theater and especially lessons in Kabuki dance given by the gracious Kabuki men actors. It was great fun teaching our American High School girls these dances when Marial returned to Wisconsin as a High School Drama Teacher directing the play “Tea House of the August Moon.” She returned to the U.S. to teach Speech and direct Drama in High School. During the following five summers, she attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she received her M.A. degree in Speech and Theater. She moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for Arlington County Rec Department in Virginia as Drama Supervisor. It was there she met and married Joe, her husband of 44 years. She taught High School for a few years and quickly had her children. Marial stayed at home raising her children and periodically went into the schools as a substitute teacher over the years. After the children were grown, Marial worked for Cocoa Beach Recreation Department, Surfside Theater, and Our Saviour’s School (14 years), teaching and directing Drama. During this time, she enjoyed the assistance of many parents while directing Ikebana flower arranging classes and attended plays at the Cocoa Village Theater with her good friend Jan and her husband. Even though long retired, while out dining, etc., Marial would meet young adults who would fondly remember their dramatic experiences in school. She was invited by the Elder Learning Group in Brevard Community College to teach a course in Choral Reading. Marial was a member of Our Savior’s Catholic Church since 1974, an original member of the Small Community Groups and a member of the Senior Club. Marial was a member of Cocoa Beach Woman’s Club (on the Board) and University Woman’s Club since 1986 (Vice President). She was an active participant of the AAUW Discussion Group for many years and for several years was a Board Member for Surfside Players. She loved to sew and design clothing, costumes and draperies, attending the theater, concerts and opera, especially the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She enjoyed swimming Abd dancing and participating in activities at Costa Del Sol Condominium arranged by the Entertainment Committee. Above all was her great zest for life as she traveled all around the world independently sever times with a vert adventurous spirit! Best of all was her great love for her husband, children, and grandchildren! Marial loved research and learning. Her most recent venture was developing a program in Choral Reading for all ages, especially the Elementary students and Senior Citizens. So many students this age are ripe to learn a new Entertaining Venture. She also developed a format of Drama Entertainment in which Children and Adults can return to Dramatic Presentations. Her recent program of poetry has given many participants a new look at the World of Poetical Literature. Lastly, for those of you that knew Marial well, you may have guessed that she was prepared years ago and actually wrote her own obituary. This was her brief memoir of her life. A memorial Mass will be held at Church of Our Savior’s in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Burial will al be held immediately following the service in Church of Our Savior’s Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held following the service with location to be determined and reflected on this site prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Church of Our Savior’s, 5301 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 or (321) 799-3667. A reception following Mass will be held at Hilton Cocoa Beach 1550 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931.