Leigh Russell Daugherty

Leigh Russell Daugherty, Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher, died on May 12th at her home in Brookline, NH. Mrs. Daugherty was born in Natick, Massachusetts, and graduated from Melrose High School in 1971. In 1975, she graduated from Principia College in Elsah, Ill., where she, on a dare, proposed marriage to a man she had yet to meet who grew to be the love of her life, Paul Daugherty. Their marriage of 27 years was filled with selfless love, laughter, and joy, founded upon a strong commitment to Christian Science. Together they learned to read the winds and currents sailing in Chesapeake Bay and Buzzard’s Bay with friends and family. They also shared a love of art and design, building homes full of color and light in Annapolis, MD, Carlisle, MA, and Brookline, NH. Their beloved daughter, Christina, was born in 1986. Leigh’s lifework was the practice of Christian healing. She was recognized as a practitioner by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1998, and became a teacher of Christian Science in 2007. She served on the Board of Trustees of the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. She wrote articles on spiritual healing for The Christian Science Journal and The Christian Science Sentinel on topics such as confidence and the immediacy of God’s care for His children. In 2009, she was given one of the central positions at the Church having to do with sharing worldwide the writings of the discover and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. Her family has been deeply touched by notes and comments from those who have been helped by her healing work. She leaves a record of significance in the spiritual advancement of mankind. She is survived by her daughter, Christina Daugherty Pocklington, her son-in-law, Rick Pocklington of Grand Rapids, MI, father Douglas Russell of Brookline, NH, sisters Gail Russell Chaddock of Chevy Chase, MD, and Marianne Russell Wahlberg of Scarsdale NY, niece Alexandra Wahlberg and nephew Erik Wahlberg of Scarsdale, NY, and extended family. There will be a memorial service at The Congregational Church of Hollis, 3 Monument Square, Hollis, NH, on Saturday, May 22, at 9:30 a.m. In her honor, donations may be made to The Leigh Daugherty Scholarship Fund, established at Principia College, Elsah, Illinois or to Habitat for Humanity.