Joanne M (Anttila) Doherty

Life of 

Joanne M. (Anttila) Maki, Doherty 

Born: April 13, 1934 in Fitchburg, MA 

Graduated from Fitchburg High School, class of 52 

Worked as a clerk at Woolworth’s while in High School. 

After graduation, Ralph Howard (her class advisor) recommended that she take the civil service exam, which led to a position at the War Department in Washington, D.C. working for the Navy as a procurement Clerk in the documents section of the Bureau of Contracts for two years. 

While raising five children, she became a CNA in 1965 and High Street Nursing Home. Joanne was a lunch lady in the cafeteria for four years. She also worked at Sanitoy for eight and a half years and at Avery-Dennison for 17 years. 

Active at many local churches including Calvinistic Congregational Church/Faith United Parish as a Deaconess, Elm Street Congregational Church as an Elder and member of the choir and lastly, a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she was instrumental in starting the rummage sale, as well as organizing the Attic Treasures for the holiday bazaar. She especially enjoyed attending the Mother’s Day tea with family members, wearing the appropriate hats. She was active at the Fitchburg Senior Center as the “bread lady”. As a member of the YMCA, along with her husband Dick, were Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 

Joanne took joy in dancing, travel and the company of friends and family; especially her Finnish heritage. She is survived by her children; Gayle Cote of Winchendon, MA, Kenneth Maki of Fitzwilliam, NH, Keith Maki of Orange, MA, and Jewel Richmond of Henderson, NV. 

Eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. 

She id predeceased by her husband, Richard Doherty in 2009, her sister Barbera Maki in 2019, her older brother Eddie Anttila in 2007, her younger brother Paul Anttila in 1992, George Maki in 1989, and her son Kevin Maki, retired U.S. Navy in 2020. 

A celebration of life will be held in May. 

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