Margaret "Meg" Mary Doherty, 46, was born November 26, 1977 at UCLA and died on November 5, 2024, at her home in Pasadena following a short battle with cancer.
Meg was the youngest of three children of Margaret (Gigi) and John Doherty.
A graduate of Pasadena High School in 1995, she went on to attend the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, where she completed the Baking and Pastry Arts program. Meg worked at a variety of restaurants and retail shops in Pasadena, though many may remember her from her bartending days at The 35er or R Place.
Meg had a unique and fierce personality and soul. She never shied away from sharing her opinions and was always strong in her convictions. She had a mischievous sense of humor and was known for giving the most thoughtful, often funny, gifts. Meg loved making her own spices and canned food, she baked the most delicious and beautiful desserts, and was an avid reader of social justice literature.
Meg was a loyal and generous friend to countless people.
Some of her lifelong and closest friendships were forged on the playground at Assumption BVM. But she also established many genuine and lasting friendships through online communities, such as her local Facebook Buy Nothing group and the Avett Brothers groups. Music was especially important to Meg and many of her connections with people were based on their shared love of a particular band.
Meg was greeted in Heaven by her father John Doherty, step-father Lawrence Mackel, aunt Ann Johnston Skibinski, and her grandparents.
She is survived by her adoring mother, Gigi Johnston Doherty Mackel, brother Matthew Doherty (Monica), sister Anna Doherty Rivas (Andre), nieces Charlotte Doherty, Catherine Doherty, Annie Rivas, nephews John Doherty, Brendan Rivas, and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A proud childless cat lady, Meg also leaves behind her five cats: Indy, Stan, Houdini, Montana, and Dalai.
Never wanting to be the center of attention, Meg requested only a small, private family gathering in her honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Pasadena Humane Society in honor of Meg's love of cats.