Janet L. Dougherty
July 16, 1939 - March 30, 2018
Janet Louise Dougherty was born to John and Virginia Larson on July 16, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1948, the family moved to Salem, where Jan attended St Joseph Grade School and Sacred Heart Academy. She continued her education at Oregon State University until she married her high school sweet heart, Edward Dougherty, on July 10, 1959. Jan started her career working for the Department of Mental Health, which she left after she and Ed founded EJD Enterprises. The concert promotion company was intended to give Salem’s youth a safe, fun entertainment option, though their business quickly grew to produce concerts throughout the West Coast. In the years to come they also owned and operated related businesses Statewide Tickets, Creative Security and Concert Services. She managed operations - including finances and contracting - from the 1960’s into the next four decades.
Jan’s passion was family, especially her 5 grandchildren. She was their number one fan whether sitting on the bleachers or in a theatre they were her pride and joy. It was in her nature to ‘entertain’ whether it be work or family. She was an incredible hostess and an exceptional cook. She also loved gardening and spent many weekends in her backyard tending to her hanging baskets and roses. As Ed and Jan enjoyed their retirement, her ‘happy place’ was Palm Desert, CA, where you could find her enjoying many sunny days with family and friends by the pool and on her patio with a sweeping view of the Santa Rosa mountains.
She is survived by her daughter, Joni Fohn, her son-in-law Tom, grandchildren Jake and Connor, her son, John Dougherty, daughter-in-law Eva and grandchildren Grace, Helena and Edward, and her sister, Jacqueline Larson Keil, a niece and two nephews.
Much gratitude to the caregivers and staff at Capitol Manor Memory Care for their devotion to Jan these last few years.
A service will be held for Jan on Saturday, April 21st, at 1:00 pm at Virgil T Golden Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, because of Jan’s strong commitment to family and absolute love for all children donations may be sent to St. Francis Shelter https://sfssalem.org/ , 1820 Berry Street SE, Salem, OR, 97302.