Lena (Cacicio) Doherty, lovingly known simply as “Nana” to nearly everyone who knew her, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Boston’s West End on September 14, 1931, Lena was the daughter of the late Augustino Cacicio and Eileen (Sacramona) Cacicio and was raised in Charlestown — a community that shaped the strong sense of family, resilience, humor, and loyalty that defined her throughout her life. She attended St. Francis De Sales School and graduated from Charlestown High School.

Family was always at the center of Nana’s world. She spent most of her life as a homemaker and, after raising her children, began a long career as a home health aide, retiring in 2006.

Like many grandmothers, she became the center of gravity for her family in ways both big and small — creating comfort, traditions, laughter, and the kind of unconditional love that quietly becomes part of who you are. If there was a card game in sight, Nana was there — and she would probably win, especially during post-holiday games of Texas Hold’em.

She was fiercely devoted to family, endlessly generous, quick with a joke, and possessed the kind of strength and stubbornness that defined so many women of her generation.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arthur John Doherty; her son, Robert Doherty; her granddaughter, Jillian Doherty; and her brothers, Rocco Cacicio and Augustino Cacicio Jr.

To her grandchildren, Nana created memories that became stories — and stories that became family legend.

There were special trips to Hampton Beach, vacations to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and simple moments that somehow became unforgettable. Routine orthodontist appointments became adventures — rides into Downtown Crossing, visits to Filene’s Basement, and lunches in Chinatown that turned simple moments into lifelong memories.

She had a wonderful sense of humor, never took herself too seriously, and somehow always knew how to make people laugh.

Whether offering advice, feeding everyone who walked through the door, teasing family members, or simply being present during life’s biggest and smallest moments, Nana created a home and family that people always wanted to return to.

She enjoyed puzzles, crocheting, paint-by-number, reading, card games of all kinds, Pokeno, Bingo, trips to Foxwoods and Encore, and favorite meals at Pizzeria Regina and Kowloon.

She is survived by her children: Arthur Doherty and his wife, Judy; Joseph Doherty and his wife, Frances; Thomas Doherty, widower of Annamarie Doherty; Arlene Travis and her husband, Don; and Claire Anderson and her husband, Rick; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless people who simply knew her as Nana.

Though her family mourns her loss deeply, they take comfort knowing that the countless small moments she created — the conversations, laughter, traditions, and love — will remain with them always.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lena's visiting hours on Friday morning, June 5, 2026 from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M., concluding with her Funeral Service at 12 P.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Her burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial fund for Lena at:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105.

https://www.stjude.org/content/dam/en_US/alsac/donate/pdfs/Printable%20Donation%20Form%20English.pdf