Debra L. Docherty

DEBRA LOUISE DOCHERTY (Jan. 16, 1960 - Apr. 11, 2023) With deep sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the family of Debra L. Docherty announce the passing of our beloved Deb. She departed peacefully on the afternoon of April 11, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Deb faced the challenge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as she faced every challenge - with grace, dignity, courage, and humor. Deb was born on January 16, 1960, in DuBois, Pennsylvania, the sixth of seven children, to John F. Docherty Jr. and Jacqueline Ward Docherty. After moving to Pittsburgh at a young age, she and her siblings had an action-packed childhood, with Deb always playing the role of instigator and motivator. In all her family's childhood home movies, Deb's inability to stand still foretold her hunger for living life to the fullest, which she surely did. Having initially attended college in Florida with intentions of becoming a marine biologist, Deb returned home to begin a modeling career after being discovered at a payphone in downtown Pittsburgh. She quickly became a top model in the Pittsburgh market and after five years in front of the camera turned her attention to the business side of modeling. Always the resourceful entrepreneur, she funded the Docherty Agency with a credit card and set up the office right across the street from Froggy's Bar on Market Street - she knew where to find the business crowd on a Friday night. Over the next thirty-five years, Docherty Agency established itself as a premier talent agency, with a reputation for representing top models and actors in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Deb and her team helped launch the careers of countless models and actors, regionally and nationally, through a commitment to discovering and nurturing new talent. She stepped back from her agency role in early 2022, having instilled her knowledge, values and integrity in today's Docherty being led by Jared Pascoe, Agency Director. Deb was a devoted and proud mother, grateful to have been able to dance with her son Daniel at his 2022 wedding to his bride Praneeta. In addition to Daniel and Praneeta Schapira, Deb is survived by her partner David Volk, her sisters Karen James, Kathleen Docherty, Maureen Docherty, Cathy Bigham, her brothers John Docherty, Bob Docherty, Michael Docherty, her mother Patricia Docherty (officially stepmother, but not in Deb's eyes), and Deb's stepchildren David Schapira and Stacy Shay. She will be deeply missed by her nieces, nephews, and extended family, all who adored Deb. Grady, her beloved doodle mix, provided immense comfort to her during her sickness. She was preceded in death by her parents John (Jack) and Jacqueline, her stepbrother William (Billy) Carlisle, her nephew David Docherty, and her ex-husband Evan Schapira. Deb inspired everyone she met with her energy, her dimpled smile, her quick wit, and a wicked sense of humor. Even this month, she still had a few April's Fools tricks up her sleeve. To the very end, Deb's attention always remained focused on the needs of others around her, never on her own challenges. As Deb always loved to organize parties, her family and friends are honored to organize a celebration of her life to be held at 1:30 PM, on May 5, 2023, at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall Riverfront Park). Additional event information and registration can be found here (https://tinyurl.com/343x93fc ). Deb and her family are immensely grateful to the ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania for their caring staff and unwavering support through this journey with Deb. Donations in Deb's name are welcomed on the ALS chapter website here (https://tinyurl.com/3yevxjpw ). Professional services trusted to D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY LTD., Lawrenceville. www.dalessandroltd.com.

Debra L. Docherty

January 16, 1960 - April 11, 2023