The Docherty family mourns and thanks Deb for her life. She died peacefully on April 11, 2023. Deb faced ALS with grace, dignity, courage, and humor, as she did every challenge.
Deb, the sixth of seven children, was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania, on January 16, 1960, to John F. Docherty Jr. and Jacqueline Ward. After moving to Pittsburgh at a young age, Deb always incited and motivated her siblings. Deb's inability to stand still in all her family's childhood home movies foretold her desire to live life to the fullest, which she did.
After being discovered at a Pittsburgh payphone, Deb returned home to model. After five years as a top Pittsburgh model, she switched to modelling business. The resourceful entrepreneur funded the Docherty Agency with a credit card and set up the office across from Froggy's Bar on Market Street, where she knew the business crowd would be on Friday nights.
Docherty Agency became known for representing top Pennsylvania and Ohio models and actors over the next 35 years. Deb and her team discovered and nurtured many regional and national models and actors. After instilling her knowledge, values, and integrity in today's Docherty, led by Agency Director Jared Pascoe, she left in early 2022.
Deb was honoured to dance with her son Daniel at his 2022 wedding to Praneeta. Deb is survived by Daniel and Praneeta Schapira, her partner David Volk, her sisters Karen James, Kathleen Docherty, Maureen Docherty, Cathy Bigham, her brothers John, Bob, and Michael, her mother Patricia (officially stepmother, but not in Deb's eyes), and her stepchildren David Schapira and Stacy Shay. Her nieces, nephews, and extended family, who loved Deb, will miss her. Grady, her cherished doodle mix, comforted her during her illness.
Her parents, stepbrother William (Billy) Carlisle, and ex-husband Evan Schapira died before her.
Deb's energy, dimpled smile, quick wit, and wicked humour inspired everyone she met. She still had a few April Fools jokes. Deb never focused on her own problems, always on others'.
Deb loved throwing parties, so her family and friends are honoured to host a memorial service at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall Riverfront Park) on May 5, 2023. The link (in comments below) provides event details and registration. The ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania's compassionate staff and unwavering support have been invaluable to Deb and her family. The ALS chapter website (link in comments) accepts Deb's donations.
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"Deb docherty, you will be perpetually missed, yet always remembered," the sheriff's specialization said in a proclamation. "We all extend our love, petitions, considerations, and sympathies to Deb docherty, his companions, and associates."
Deb docherty cause of death naturally
With deep sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the family of Debra L. Docherty announce the passing of our beloved Deb. She departed peacefully on the afternoon of April 11, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Deb faced the challenge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as she faced every challenge - with grace, dignity, courage, and humor.
In addition to Daniel and Praneeta Schapira, Deb is survived by her partner David Volk, her sisters Karen James, Kathleen Docherty, Maureen Docherty, Cathy Bigham, her brothers John Docherty, Bob Docherty, Michael Docherty, her mother Patricia Docherty (officially stepmother, but not in Deb's eyes), and Deb's stepchildren David Schapira and Stacy Shay. She will be deeply missed by her nieces, nephews, and extended family, all who adored Deb. Grady, her beloved doodle mix, provided immense comfort to her during her sickness.
She was preceded in death by her parents John (Jack) and Jacqueline, her stepbrother William (Billy) Carlisle, and her ex-husband Evan Schapira.
Deb inspired everyone she met with her energy, her dimpled smile, her quick wit, and a wicked sense of humor. Even this month, she still had a few April's Fools tricks up her sleeve. To the very end, Deb's attention always remained on the needs of others around her, never on her own challenges.
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A Prayer for Deb docherty and for Those Who Love Her
Dear God, We come to you today with heavy hearts, mourning the loss of Deb docherty. We pray that you comfort her family and friends during this difficult time, and that you help them find peace and solace in the memories they shared with Deb docherty. We know that Deb docherty was a kind and loving person who touched the lives of many in her community. She had a heart of gold and a spirit of generosity that will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We thank you for the gift of her life and for the impact she had on the world. We ask that you grant Deb docherty eternal rest and that you welcome her into your loving arms. May she find joy and happiness in your presence, and may her soul be at peace. We also pray for those who loved Deb docherty, that they may find comfort in your love and grace. Help them to remember the good times they shared with her, and may those memories bring them comfort in the days ahead. God, we trust in your mercy and love, and we know that you are with us always, even in our darkest moments. We pray that you continue to watch over us and guide us, and that you bring healing to all those who are hurting. In your holy and precious name we pray, Amen.
Who isDeb docherty?
Deb was the sixth of John F. Docherty Jr. and Jacqueline Ward Docherty's seven children when she was born on January 16, 1960, in DuBois, Pennsylvania. She and her siblings had an eventful childhood after moving to Pittsburgh at a young age, with Deb constantly acting as the catalyst and motivator. Deb's inability to remain still in all of her family's childhood home movies hinted at her desire to live life to the fullest, which she undoubtedly did.
After being discovered at a payphone in downtown Pittsburgh, Deb returned home to start a modelling career after initially attending college in Florida with the goal of becoming a marine biologist. She rose to prominence as a top model in the Pittsburgh market quickly, and after five years in front of the camera, she focused on the modelling industry's business side. She established the Docherty Agency with credit card funding and located the office on Market Street directly across from Froggy's Bar because she knew where to find the business crowd on a Friday night.
In the following 35 years, the Docherty Agency made a name for itself as a top talent agency, known for representing the best actors and models in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Deb and her team made a commitment to finding and developing new talent, which helped launch the careers of countless actors and models, both locally and nationally. She stepped down from her agency position in early 2022, having passed on her expertise, values, and integrity to the current Docherty, which is run by Agency Director Jared Pascoe.
Deb, a loving and proud mother, was happy to be able to dance with her son Daniel at his wedding to Praneeta in 2022.
