Katherine Brogan

Katherine Mary Doherty Brogan died peacefully in Albuquerque on Friday, October 6, 2023 with her loving family by her side. She was 83.

Kathy was born on May 2, 1940 in Medford, MA to John Jeremiah Doherty and Gertrude Cecelia (Hickey) Doherty. She attended parochial school in her beloved Charlestown and in 1954 received a scholarship to Rosary Academy in nearby Watertown graduating with honors in 1958.

Inspired by her instructors at Rosary, upon graduation Kathy entered the Dominican Congregation of St. Catharine of Siena, Kentucky (the Kentucky Dominicans) and for 10 years was Sister John Cecelia, O.P., teaching and serving at schools and parishes in suburban Chicago, IL, Hopkinsville, KY, and Memphis, TN.

Upon leaving the Order in 1968, Kathy returned to the Boston area and completed her undergraduate degree with a BA in English, summa cum laude, from Suffolk University. Boston is also where she met and married her husband Jim in 1970 and began a 53 year journey of loving and learning with additional degrees (MA Purdue, PhD Tennessee) and teaching positions (Michigan State, UNM). She finished her working career with a 20 year Federal Government position as a Technical Writer and Editor. During all this time she managed to raise four children.

Kathy is survived by her husband Jim, son Jim and wife Aurelia, son Matthew and wife Kelli, daughter Jane Lucero and husband Michael, and son John. She leaves four loving grandchildren, Jackson, Colby, Mia, and Colin Brogan and is also survived by her brother John J. Doherty and numerous nieces and nephews including her special niece and namesake Kathy Whelan.

A viewing will be held at the FRENCH – Wyoming on Wednesday, October 18 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm with a Rosary following at 6:00 pm. A Catholic Mass will be held at Risen Savior Catholic Church on Thursday, October 19 at 9:30 a.m. Kathy will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Kathy to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN or a charity of your choice.