Virginia Darlene Doherty passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at age 95. She was born May 29, 1928, in Park Rapids, Minn., the daughter of Kenneth and Genevieve (nee Lamphere) Hazelton.

Virginia grew up in La Crosse, Wis., before moving to Minneapolis, Minn., where she discovered her lifelong love of the food business – initially managing the cafeteria at the Minneapolis Star newspaper before working at Caterers Inc., a local catering company. The career proved fateful when Ray Doherty, then a writer at the United Press International news bureau in Minneapolis, saw a beautiful lady behind the counter at the Star cafeteria and soon found every excuse possible to visit. Virginia and Ray married on July 31, 1954, in La Crosse.

Virginia and Ray moved in 1956 to Milwaukee, where Virginia joined Ace Foods, a Milwaukee food service management company and caterer. Through more than 35 years at Ace and its successor, Canteen Corp., Virginia helped lead the organization's industrial food service division, which operated cafeterias for employers throughout Wisconsin. Even after retirement, Virginia found every possible excuse to stay connected with food – working for many years at the Wisconsin Bakers Association Original Cream Puffs Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fair, offering food samples at Milwaukee area grocery stores and leading numerous church and other dinners.

Besides working at all things food, Virginia helped Ray as editor of the National Presbyterian Mariner newspaper – a role that took them to meetings and conventions throughout the US; was a tutor in Milwaukee schools; and volunteered for numerous organizations, including Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center and the Salvation Army. She continued in some of those efforts until after she turned 90.

Along the way, Virginia and Ray had two sons – Ray Jr., and Chuck.

Virginia is survived by her sons, Ray (Allison) Doherty, of De Pere; and Chuck (Lori) Doherty, of Grafton; grandchildren, Chad (Sarah), Nick, Will, Ashley and Hannah Doherty; four great-grandchildren. sisters, Martha (Peter) Hetzner, Ruth Anne Hazelton and Paulette (Tom) Goetz, along with other relatives and friends. Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray; parents, Kenneth and Genevieve Hazelton; and a brother, Kenneth "Bud" Hazelton.

The family wishes a special thanks to the caring staff of the Harrison Home in Cedarburg and of Lily Hospice.

Memorial Service 5:00 PM on Thursday January 4, 2024, at  Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, 2366 N. 80th St. in Wauwatosa, WI. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday at the Church from 4:00 - 5:00 PM and at a reception to be held following the Memorial Service. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) in Virginia's name are appreciated.