Fall River native, Massachusetts State Representative for Bristol County passes away

A State Representative of the Third Bristol District for Taunton and Easton, Massachusetts has died.

The following statement was posted Saturday on a social media page representing State Representative Carol A. Doherty (D).

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved friend State Representative Carol A. Doherty, who died today at the age of 82 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

“First elected to the legislature in 2020, Representative Doherty drew upon decades of combined experience as an elementary school teacher, guidance counselor, school committee member, and president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association to become a fierce advocate for children across the Commonwealth.

“More details, including a formal obituary, will follow. But for now, we ask that you keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.”

According to her biography, born in “Fall River, Carol Doherty had lived in Taunton since 1965. She is the daughter of an immigrant family. Her mother came to America at the age of four from the island of Madeira and her father’s family came from Cape Verde.

“Her career and community service focused primarily on education, including teaching at the Bennett Elementary School in Taunton and later serving as a Guidance Counselor. She was elected President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, serving in that position for two consecutive terms. She was later appointed Director of Professional Development in the School of Education at Northeastern University where she remained for 18 years. In her position at Northeastern she was responsible for connecting University resources and expertise to local school districts to help them provide quality professional development to teachers and administrators.” Doherty was also on the Taunton School Committee.

“Carol Doherty’s volunteer activities included co-hosting the Silver City Meetinghouse radio program on WVBF in Taunton, a show dedicated to promoting civil dialogue on the issues facing the local community. She was also founder of the Taunton Community Gardens and serves on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Taunton Foundation, which supports small business owners in the city’s central business district, and TRIUMPH, Inc., the community’s Headstart early childhood initiative. She was a member of the Taunton Area Kiwanis Club, Taunton Lodge of Elks, Prince Henry Society, and the Board of the Taunton Area Community Table, a food pantry for local residents.

 “Doherty earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in Education and Guidance from Bridgewater State College.”