Mary Theresa Dougherty, 68, mother of union leader

Mary Theresa Dougherty, 68, mother of John Dougherty, business manager  of the local electricians union, died Friday after battling emphysema and pulmonary disease.

A South Philadelphia native who lived her final years in Somers Point, N.J., Mrs. Dougherty was a faithful Irish Catholic with a deep devotion to her family and her church, Sacred Heart of Jesus.

She was strong-willed and proud of the political accomplishments of her sons, including John J. Dougherty Jr., a major player in city government and the head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98. He was a state Senate candidate in the spring.

Shortly after taking over the union, Dougherty was in a disagreement with the archdiocese over a construction project when he received a call in his car from his mother.

" 'Look, I just want to let you know you can't do nothing with the church,' " he remembered her saying.

He said she was always supportive, but she also "had no bones about commenting about our professional lives."

Her other son, Kevin Dougherty, is the administrative judge of the family division of the Court of Common Pleas. Along with her husband of 49 years, John Dougherty Sr., she put his judicial robe on him at his swearing-in ceremony in 2002.

"My mother said, 'Remember, you're still Kevin, and you're going to make sure everybody remembers who Kevin is,' " Kevin Dougherty said.

"She used to say, 'I'll be your greatest critic and your greatest adviser, because no one likes you like your mother.' She was a phenomenal force and influence in our lives," he said.

The judge also remembered how his mother would share her cooking with neighbors, particularly those who were elderly or infirm.

"She was as protective as a lioness, but she had a soft heart when it came to people with issues, problems, tragedy or illness," he said. "Her entire life she always made sure that others were taken care of."

In addition to her sons and husband, Mrs. Dougherty is survived by her daughter, Maureen Fiocca; and eight grandchildren.

There are viewings today from 6 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 8 to 10 a.m. at Rogers Funeral Home, 1428 S. Third St., Philadelphia. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1404 S. Third St., with interment at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.