Jeanette A. (Arnold) Doherty, 96

Jeanette A. (Arnold) Doherty, age 96, of Clearwater, Florida, and a former resident of Acton for 50 years, passed away peacefully with family at her side on November 9, 2025.

Jeanette Agnes Arnold was born December 25, 1928, to the late Berry W. and Elizabeth Dewey Arnold and grew up in Reading, attending RMHS (class of 1946), where she played the clarinet in the school band.

Jeanette was a devoted and loving wife of the late Stephen J. Doherty III for 59 years, and together they raised their family in Acton. She created many lasting friendships in Acton and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their homes throughout the years in Silver Spring, Maryland; York Beach, Maine; and Clearwater, Florida.

Always the life of the party, Jeanette never missed an opportunity to dance on the dance floor and loved to talk to anyone and everyone she met. She kept busy in her later years, attending many sports and band events for her grandchildren or traveling with her family, most notably to Alaska. When asked how she stayed so young, she was quick to reply, “being active and laughing every day.”

She is survived by her four children Stephen E. Doherty of Maynard and his wife, Kathy; Richard A. Doherty of Reading and his wife, Connie; Linda S. Blake of Goffstown, New Hampshire, and her husband, Fred; and Marcia J. Doherty of Gardner. Her pride and joy were being Grammy (Gram) to her eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Jeanette was predeceased by her brothers Berry W. Arnold Jr. and Ret. LTC Robert W. Arnold and sisters Shirley Meier, Patricia Cassidy, and Dorothy Curtin. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. in the Acton Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street. Her funeral service will immediately follow at 4 p.m. Burial will be private in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Arrangements under the care of Acton Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Acton. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit concordfuneral.com.