Eunice Doherty Kirby
Eunice Doherty Kirby, (1943 – 2014) originally from South Boston, died peacefully at home with her family by her side on October 22, 2014. The youngest of five children, Eunice attended St. Augustine’s school in South Boston. Later in life she relished returning to South Boston with her five grandchildren to enjoy Castle Island and Pleasure Bay. After high school, Eunice was swept up by the currents of the 1960’s. She took up skiing and spent a winter working at Sugarbush, VT, after which she moved to Cambridge. Eunice became increasingly involved in the political movements of the time, engaging in a progressive activism that would continue through much of her life. Eunice met and eventually married a kindred spirit, Bill Kirby, who soon became the state director of VISTA. Eunice courageously and lovingly raised her three children, Seth, Bronwen, and Joshua, after her husband’s sudden death in 1976. Eunice finished her BA in Urban Planning from UMASS Boston, then eared her Masters degree while working at Boston College. During her fourteen years in the BC Sociology department she was a source of positive energy and friend to many. While raising her family she worked tirelessly for liberal political causes, highlighted by Mel King’s bids for House and Mayor. Eunice was also engaged in grassroots efforts, from protesting US military involvement in Central America, to local causes such as promoting education about mental illness and co-founding the Norwood Human Rights Committee. Boston College recognized Eunice with the Distinguished Service Award for her volunteerism. In 2012 Eunice was diagnosed with cancer. Eunice’s focus became her immediate family, Pat Welch, Bill Doherty, Al Doherty, Mary McQuade and her many nieces and nephews. She loved to get family together, especially her own. Eunice is survived by her son Joshua of Marlboro, her daughter Bronwen and her husband Peter Beaudoin of Natick and son Seth Kirby and his wife Joia of Belmont. Eunice adored her grandchildren Henry and Lydia Beaudoin and Aidan, Myles, and Alexander Kirby. A private gathering of friends and family will be held at Abby Park, 550 Adams Street, Milton on Saturday, November 1st from 11:30am-2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Alliance for Mental Illness. www.namimass.org/donate/donate-online .
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Eunice was one of the most loving, compassionate and insightful people I knew. She loved life and nurtured everyone around her. She was so joyful to be with, even as she began to cope with her illness. I will remember her as a precious flower and wise guru embodying life’s great beauty and compassion. She is a gift who I have always treasured – and her passing is a source of great sadness. Nobody can replace her, but I will remember her with love forever.
Charles Derber (professor at Boston College)
Eunice,
A huge THANK YOU!
Thank you for teaching me the way around a thrift store 🙂 I still have my pair of 1970 roller skates we purchased together. I survive on thrifty finds to this day.
Thank you for teaching me a deeper understanding of politics & women’s abilities.
Thank you for always being open and honest with me & Josh.
Thank you for understanding how much I loved my dog & best friend Suggs. You showered him with love and always had a spot at your table for us. He loved his chair stacked with pillows so he could sit between us.
Thank you for your love and appreciation for the wild side.
Every time time I see a wooden bowl I will think of you, your love & all you have taught each one of us.
Kiss Suggs for me.
Love,
Paige
Seth Paul and I offer our condolences. She was a model mother to have a son who is a model teacher and coach. Brian and Paul – BC High alums.
Dear Seth and family,
While we didn’t know your mom, she sounds like she was an incredible woman and touched many during her life. She was surely a great mom to have raised such wonderful children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Julia, Rui, Jack, Alex and Luke Coelho
I attended St. Augustine School with Eunice through middle school and high school. We met up again 3 years ago at our 50th reunion. And I was so happy to see her! We both stayed a little longer to reminisce. I am glad to have the memories of that night and also the long ago ones too! Each day after school for two years 1960 & 1961 we took the train and trolley to Sears Roebuck in Brookline after school to type shipping labels! It was always fun to be in her presence. She loved singing the oldies as we made our way to and from work and school. She was a special person and I will always remember her as a being filled with Love and Light!
If it were for Unice I would not be me.
“The way you get a better world is, you don’t put up with substandard anything.”
Joe Strummer