Dolores Mary (Gocek) Dougherty

Dolores Mary (Gocek) Dougherty, age 94, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Bayville and Morristown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

Dolores was born on January 13, 1932, in Freeland, PA to the late Michael Joseph Gocek and Agnes (Wysocki) Gocek. In addition to her parents, Dolores is preceded in death by her great-grandson Jack Heinnickel and her brother, Leonard Gocek.

Dolores’s survivors include her beloved husband of nearly 70 years, Thomas Francis Dougherty, Jr.; her two children: Joan Teresa Dougherty and David Thomas Dougherty and wife Linda; her grandchildren: Jessica Hetrick and husband Michael, Christina Heinnickel and husband Jeremy, Kieran Dougherty, and Brianna Dougherty; her five great-grandchildren: Adilyn, Emma, Isabelle, Reagan, and Wyatt; and several nieces and nephews.

Dolores found great joy in spending time with her family and creating lasting memories with those she loved. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and embracing life with warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm. Her loving spirit, gentle nature, and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

All are welcome to join Dolores’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Andrew Heidelbaugh celebrating.  

Interment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville will occur at 2:00 p.m.

Contributions in celebration of Dolores’s life can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Donate Here.

Dolores’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Dolores’s full obituary, view photograph, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.