Dawn (Kath) Doherty-Rochester

One of the few benefits cancer has given me is that I've had years to contemplate my death. I've had time to write my own obituary and here is what I think mattered . . .

Many of you know the basics.  Born on 7/22/1967 to Ron and Paula Kath.  My little sister (Lisa Kath Gray) was born 18 months after me.  We were a tight foursome spending tons of time camping, and boating and fishing on MN lakes.  My dad was hard working, funny, calm, and sarcastic.  My mom is smart, practical, loud, and tenacious.  I hope I was a mix of both of them.  My sister and I never lacked for imagination and always had some game, play or variety show in the works. We were total kids of the 80's and looking back I felt so blessed to have grown up during these times (pre-electronics).

When I was 16, I got a job in Dietary at St. Marys Hospital and eventually became a supervisor.  I must have liked it because I stayed there for 21 years.   I then moved to Pathology as an Education Program Coordinator.  In December of this year, I would have been a Mayo employee for 40 years.  Mayo was a good place to work, and I made many meaningful friendships over my work years.  I hope I will be remembered as a hard worker and someone that people could count on, trust and respect. BIG shout out to D-unit and DLMP!  If you know, you know!

One of the biggest blessings in my life has always been my friend group. I've known my bestie since 3rd grade (love you Lisa Lee Maeder), my high school mentor (love you Tammy Lenz Simonson), and my ride or die since college (love you Bobbi Black Tweed).  From the GFN to the Mom Squad you ladies represent all who have stood beside me through thick and thin.  Being a good friend was always important to me and I feel confident that all who I loved knew exactly how I felt about them.

I married my soul mate, Christopher Doherty, on Sept 5, 1998.  He passed away on August 22, 2016, and took a piece of my heart and soul with him. Life looked very different for me after his death and finding joy was hard.  What kept me moving was our son (who was only 9 when his dad passed).  The thing that matters the most to me in life is that I hope my son (Noah Charles Doherty) regarded me as a good mother. I hope he knows that from the day he was laid into my arms I made a conscious decision to choose him every time. I may not have been perfect, but I hope he knows I did my best to create a life for him that allowed him to thrive and show all he is to the world.  If I am angry about anything it's the fact that I don't get to finish helping him grow up and become the amazing adult I know he will be.  I will always be your guide, Boo, even if I do it from above.

God, family, friendship, sarcasm, humor, Hallmark Christmas movies, tacos, mashed potatoes, dogs, snowstorms, wood fires, Blue Fin Bay, music, showing up, trust, and vulnerability are what mattered to me.  My ask would be to remember the good times with me, forgive the bad, watch over my son, and know that we will meet again.

Dawn is survived by her son Noah Doherty, her mother Paula Kath, her niece Amanda Gray and her nephews Davis Gray and Aaron Gray.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents William and Minna Kath, her maternal grandparents William and Mona Freytag, her husband Chris Doherty (2016), her father Ron Kath (2019), and her younger sister Lisa Gray (2022).

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (5455 50 ^th Ave. NW Rochester, MN) with Father Tom Loomis officiating.  Visitation at the church will be held from 9:00 am -11:00 am.  A luncheon will immediately follow Mass.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

A livestream of the Memorial Mass is available at: https://youtube.com/live/e6_JXkZjqtc?feature=share

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com