1925 – 2003

LEWISTON – Rita Lorraine Dougherty, 77, a resident of Colonial Way, Auburn, died late Tuesday evening at Saint Mary’ s Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness.

She was born in Lewiston Oct. 8, 1925, the daughter of Edgar and Laura Mercier Lambert. She was educated in the grammar schools of Lewiston and was a 1942 graduate of Lewiston High School.

On April 15, 1972 she married James E. Dougherty in Las Vegas, Nev. Mrs. Dougherty was a career woman having been the first female Computer Graphics Designer for Lockheed of Burbank, Calif., where she retired from after many years.

Mrs. Dougherty was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Sabattus. She also enjoyed many interests, she was a skilled target shooter, having been a pistol shooting instructor. Other hobbies included fishing, hunting, sewing, cribbage and gourmet cooking. Her passion though was her painting having been an accomplished artist.

She was a student of the Diane Amos Art Studio and over the years won many awards for her paintings. Mrs. Dougherty also enjoyed many happy years of memories made at the family cottage at Martins Point on Sabattus Lake. Her greatest love was for her family, including extended family members whom she all held dear.

Survivors include her husband of 31 years of Auburn; two daughters, Louise Hillemann and her husband Gary of Simi Valley, Calif., and Anne Woods and her husband Woody of Martins Point, Sabattus; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Murial Lambert Nadeau in 1975.