Rita M. Dougherty (nee Rafferty) on September 8 2021. Gloucester Twp. Age 96. Beloved wife of the late Charles Dougherty. Devoted mother of Charles Frances (Arleen), Kevin (Joyce), Michael (Lisa), Patricia Ware (Robert), and the late Rita Mary Connelly (Dennis), Kathleen, and Nancy. Loving grandmother of Rosie, Teri-lyn, Susan, Dennis, Christine, Michael Sanjeev, Kristen, Robert, Michael, Timothy, Kerry, Justine, Dana, and the late Maureen. Proud great-grandmother of Samantha, Casey, Riley Michael, Erin, Amber, Morgan, Drew, Dennis, Ryan, Dana, Christine, Kayla, and Paige. Cherished great-great-grandmother of Bailey, Samuel, Bridget, and Parker. Dear sister of Theresa Rafferty, Marge Woodington (Robert), Mary Stewart (Robert), and the late Joseph Rafferty(Fran) and Nancy Rafferty.

During her lifetime, Rita enjoyed traveling everywhere from Florida, California, the Rockies, Mount Rushmore, Alaska, Vegas, Ireland, and to see all the National Parks. On Thursday evenings, she could be found with her bowling league in the city, even after the family moved from Southwest Phildelphia to New Jersey. Rita loved to spend time near the water, whether it be in North Wildwood, NJ with her daughters, or Palm Harbor, FLA with her late husband. Appropriately, in 2011, her namesake “Mimosa Lady” was a successful race horse named in honor of Rita’s love of sipping mimosas.  She loved to listen to music Big Bands or Frank Sinatra.

Known as “coach” to the staff at Brighthouse Field, Rita dutifully kept scores and stats on her lap at every Phillies Spring Training game. After games, she could typically be found in Clearwater at the Island Way, in hopes to see players and their families (Shane Victorino greeting Rita at the reservation stand would be the highlight of her week). In addition to baseball, she loved watching the Eagles with her season tickets, though her family will remember when she stopped going to games after profanity was used in their section. Rita craved knowledge and learning, and at the young age of 65, she attended classes at the Wharton School of Business at UPenn. She also bought and sold properties, before “house flipping” was a trend – and largely unbeknownst to Doc!

As the matriarch of the family, Rita treasured the company of her loved ones the most. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Thursday September 16th 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Friday September 17th at 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at Egizi Funeral Home, located at 119 Ganttown Rd, Turnersville, NJ 08012. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Hope Parish – St Agnes RC Church, Gloucester Twp. Interment New St Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

**FAMILY REQUESTS GUESTS WEAR FACEMASKS**

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at egizifuneral.com.