Mary Jane "Metch" Dougherty

DOUGHERTY- Mary Jane “Metch” Link, 90, Johnstown, died March 1, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by her family.  She was born June 24, 1933, in Moxham, the daughter of the late Frank and Frances (Gabrenya) (Ivancic) (Thomas) Link.  She was married to the late John J. Dougherty on October 3, 1953, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Moxham.  In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her grandsons, Devon Polasko, and Cole Campbell and by her sisters, Mildred Jereb, and Frances Gacka; brothers, Dr. Rudy Ivancic and Andrew Ivancic; sisters-in-law, Jeanie (Rusin) Ivancic and Evelyn (Probert) Ivancic and brothers-in-law, Bernard Gacka, and Barney Jereb; Stepfather, Michael Thomas; Stepbrother, Mike Thomas; Stepsisters, Mollie Lotrich, and Sylvia Delich.  Brothers and sisters-in-law Betty (Rocco) Truscello, Marjorie Magdalenic, (Steve), Barbara Zeglin, Patrick (Louise) Dougherty, and Peggy Riek. She is survived by nine children: Michael (Danielle), Conroe, TX, Anne (Thomas Zepka, Jr.), Johnstown, Mark, Timothy, both of Johnstown, Daniel, New York City, Kelly (Ed Polasko, Jr.) Johnstown, Amy Dougherty, Johnstown, Shaun (Dr. D’Arcy Duke) Johnstown, and Joy (George Campbell), Pittsburgh; also ten grandchildren, Erin Kovac, Wendy (Joe Meyer), Jennifer Zepka, Michelle Dougherty, Todd Dougherty (Alaina), Brandon Polasko (Julie), Seth Dougherty, Jordan Polasko (Sarah), Regan and Quinn Campbell; and Great Grandchildren, Collin Dougherty (Haven), Jalen and Skylar Kovac, Nolan, Hayes, and Luke Meyer; Great-Great Grandchildren, Silas and Jack Dougherty.  Mary Jane is also survived by Ruth Wright, and brothers-in-law, Bob Riek and Frank Zeglin. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.  Mary Jane was a 1951 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School.  She worked in the Stenography Department at Penelec.  She was a full-time mother and homemaker until she graduated from The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1989.  She then worked as a Child-Care Worker at The Christian Home of Johnstown, Inc. for seven years before retiring.  Mary Jane was a member of St. Clement Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister, and a Lector, plus led the rosary at daily mass and counted collection money weekly.  She was a member of a pinochle club and a bridge club for forty years.  She was also a member of SNPJ, Slovene National Benefit Society, Lodge 749.  She also attended Sunday Mass weekly at St. Rochus Catholic Church for forty years until it was closed.  Mary Jane was also a member of Bethco Pines Swim Club where she taught all her children how to swim. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s various sporting competitions.  She loved to travel, swim, play volleyball, and she bowled in the St. Clement Bowling League for years.  She enjoyed going to lunch with her sister and cousins.  Mary Jane was very proud of her family and extended family.  She will forever be remembered for her kindness, generosity, positive attitude and unwavering faith, which she instilled in all of us.  We could not have had a better Mother and role model.  We will dearly miss her, but the values she instilled in us will be with us for life.  Friends will be received from three to seven pm Sunday, March 3rd at Picking-Treece-Bennett Funeral Home, 921 Menoher Blvd. in Westmont.  Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Monday, March 4th at St. Clement Catholic Church, on Goucher Street.  Committal will be at Grandview Cemetery.  Mom suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for many years, and we are eternally grateful for the loving care primarily given to her by our siblings, especially by her son, Mark, and daughter, Kelly, and her other children when called upon.  A very special thank you and appreciation to Windber Hospice for the very loving and professional care provided to her by Sherrie, Wendy, Marie, Dave, Jenn, and the whole Windber Home Hospice Team!

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