2/9/1936 – 12/18/2024
Lawrence
Ernestine “Ernie” Dougherty, 88, died unexpectedly on Dec. 18, 2024 in Lawrence, Kansas. She had recently moved to Pine, Colorado after living in Lawrence for almost 10 years. She was born Feb. 9, 1936 to Ernest R. Beverley and Mildred Kramer Beverley in Kansas City, Kansas, and lived in the Kansas City area for most of her life. She graduated from Loretto Academy in 1953. She married Neil W. Early on June 12, 1954; they later divorced. She married Peter T. Dougherty on Nov. 27, 1976, and was married for 41 years. Ernie was always a working mom, and she retired in 2001 as an insurance executive.
She was passionate about her faith, her family and her quilting. She enjoyed traveling with Pete across the country, and in more recent years with family to Arizona and Minnesota. She was a die-hard Jayhawks, Royals and Chiefs fan.
Ernie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister, one son, two grandsons and a granddaughter. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Farrington, Overland Park, KS; and Ernie’s and Pete’s eight children: Janice Early, Pine, CO, Nancy (Mike) Spiegel, Shawnee, KS, Neil (Cheri) Early, Omaha, NE, Keith Early, Peoria, AZ, Chris (Jana) Early, Overland Park, KS, Teresa (Byron) Riley, Holton, KS, Deanne (Jay) Arnote, Overland Park, KS, and Patrick (Kathy) Dougherty, Pearland, TX; 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
A Mass will be celebrated in her memory at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Prairie Village, KS. Per her wishes, Ernie donated her body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. The family requests memorials to the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044. To leave a message for Ernie’s family, please visit www.Rumsey-Yost.com.
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