Loretta “Sissy” (Doherty) Durkin
Former Charlestown resident
Loretta “Sissy” (Doherty) Durkin, 93, formerly of Charlestown and Scituate, passed away on April 27, 2025.
The cherished wife of the late Bernard Michael “Barney” Durkin, she was the loving sister to Anne Marie Richardson (Doherty) of Pembroke and the late Joseph “Joey” Doherty of Charlestown, John ‘Jackie” Doherty of North Reading, Richard “Richie’ Doherty, Norman Doherty, and Theodore “Teddy” Doherty all of Charlestown; beloved mother to the late Bernard M. “Bernie” Durkin and his wife. the former Helen (Curran) Brooks formerly of Scituate, Dennis J. Durkin and his wife, Maggie of Rye, NH, Carol Sheffler (Durkin) and her husband, Mark of Middletown, MD, and Paula Durkin of Grand Junction, CO; grandmother to Caroline Durkin and Colleen Durkin of Chicago, IL and Ashley Healy (Sheffler) and family of Asheville, NC, and Meagan Sheffler and family of Ruckersville, VA and great-grandmother to Meagan’s children, Sage and Nico and to Ashley’s children, Harlow and twins, Harry and Hugh who she greatly adored.
Sissy was employed by the Old Mill Pond Tennis Club, Hanover, MA and the old Pilgrim Tennis Club in Hingham, MA for many years part-time. Prior to moving to Scituate and immediately after graduating from Matignon High School in Cambridge, she worked at the Revere Sugar Refinery with her lifelong friend, the late Mary T “Schraffie” Stanley (Shraffenberger) formerly of Charlestown.
She also greatly adored and was a proud aunt to many beloved nieces and nephews from around the South Shore. North Shore and the Boston/Charlestown area of Massachusetts and for many years in Middletown, Maryland who were always willing to help her and attend the many cookouts and get-togethers after the beach in the summer, shovel her out in the winter or rake the leaves, if she’d let them. Egypt Beach was always a favorite place to spend the day and visit with longtime friends and family.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Loretta’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Words of comfort can be left at www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com.