Anne Hughes Doty, 94, of Ridgefield, died peacefully at Danbury Hospital on December 7, 2021. Anne was born in New Haven, October 1, 1927, a daughter of Thomas and Natalie Hughes. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas P. Doty, as well as her brothers Thomas, John, Michael, and Richard.
Anne is survived by her two children, Lizabeth A. Doty and Dr. William T. Doty; daughter-in-law Dorothy Galligan Doty; two grandsons, Thomas W. Doty and Dr. Patrick M. Doty; and siblings Patricia Hughes Goff and Robert P. Hughes of California and Elizabeth Hughes Herrman of Branford, along with several nieces and nephews.
One of the first women in Connecticut to be licensed as an optician, Anne moved to Ridgefield in 1983 to assist her son, Dr. William T. Doty, in his optometry practice on Main Street. She worked as an optician and bookkeeper in his practice until her retirement in 2016.
Anne was a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary Church and served as a catechetical instructor, Eucharistic Minister, Minister to the Homebound, President of the Rosary Society, and captain of a Eucharistic Adoration hour.
An avid golfer for 50 years, Anne played at courses throughout the country, though she freely admitted that Ridgefield was her favorite course. A season pass-holder at the Ridgefield Golf Course since 1984, Anne was featured in the Ridgefield Press in April of 2014. When asked about her motivation for playing golf at 86 she responded: “I like meeting people--that’s the primary reason--and I like the atmosphere of playing outdoors. It’s a lot of fun if you don’t take it too seriously.” During her golfing years, she shot not one but two hole-in-ones and was easily recognized on the golf course because she always walked from hole to hole—in rain, wind, sleet, and snow—until she retired from play at 88.
Whether she was playing bridge, serving as an officer in the Ridgefield Chapter of AARP, or running a booth at the Church fair, Anne loved being with people. As one of her doctors said, “There was a coolness factor about Anne. She was the total package.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately, there will be no calling hours. Contributions in Anne’s memory may be made to St. Mary Church. The family is grateful to the compassionate staff at Filosa Rehabilitation and Nursing in Danbury for the care they provided Anne during her stay there.
Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of funeral arrangements.
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