MarySue Gilet Dougherty, born 7/14/57 in Victoria, Texas, passed away suddenly at home in Philadelphia on 7/28/25.  She was a loving wife, mom, sister, daughter and aunt, and a beautiful friend to an incalculable number. 

The oldest of Albert and MaryJane Gilet’s five children, she lost her younger brother Jimmy to leukemia at the age of six.  Sue is survived by her husband, Matthew Dougherty, and her children Mary Beth Dougherty and Jim Dougherty, all of Philadelphia.   She is also survived by her sisters: Julia Ramonat of Tampa, FL (Whit), Lucy McBride of Concord, MA (Bob) and Charlotte Gilet of Saratoga, NY (Jeff).  

Sue grew up in many states, moving frequently with her father’s career path.  The most time spent in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Gilets all became lifelong Packers fans during the Lombardi era. Sue attended the Bancroft School in Worcester, MA, and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1980.  She then moved to Boston, where she worked at Bear Sterns.  She met her then-medical-student husband Matt there in 1983, and they married in 1987.  The couple then moved to Adelaide, Australia for a year, returning to complete Matt’s surgical training in Boston.  After another year of fellowship in Rochester, MN, the couple moved to Philadelphia, Matt’s hometown, in 1992.  

In addition to raising her children, Sue ran a stationery business and a knitted crafts business.  True to her alma mater, Sue was the ultimate “Lady Volunteer,” presiding over the Pennsylvania Hospital Auxiliary, and serving on the boards of charities such as B-Inspired and 1854 Cares, as well as the Wissahickon Skating Club.  She also volunteered many hours organizing Tennis, Paddle and Golf at Philadelphia Cricket Club, including this year’s Paddle Nationals and Truist PGA  tournaments.  

But her best volunteer work was with her family and friends, where she was the ultimate organizer and multi-tasker.  Whether at her kids’ schools or at hockey, lacrosse, baseball games, Sue ran the show.  And she could knit while doing it all.  

Sue loved to entertain.  An impeccable hostess, she could drag a conversation out of the most reticent of partygoers.  She treated strangers as cherished friends, giving of her time and energy, expecting nothing in return.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to:

B-Inspired Philadelphia (https://givebutter.com/binspired), 

12 W Willow Grove Ave

Philadelphia PA 19118

1854 Cares 

https://give.phillyhouse.org/campaign/711755/donate

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