Louise Dougherty Hensgen

Louise Dougherty Hensgen died July 14, 2016 at the age of 91. She had courageously fought a nine-year battle with a blood disorder that contributed to declining health in her most recent years. Born on May 28, 1925 in Glasgow, KY to the late Mark Alden Dougherty and Kathleen McQuown Dougherty, Louise was the third of five Dougherty children. She graduated from Glasgow High School in 1943 and married Lowell Webster Hensgen. Louise moved to Jacksonville, FLA in 1954 and then to Oxford, NC in 1958. Her oldest and beloved son, Lowell Hensgen Jr, was lost to the family at the age of 35 and precedes her in death. She was also preceded in death by loving sisters Jeanette Nelson, Marjorie Underwood and youngest brother, Col. Joe Dougherty. Her best friend of over 56 years, Katharine ‘Katie’ Oldham, also precedes her death. Louise is survived by son Gilbert Hensgen, son Joe Hensgen and daughter-in-law Nancy Finch Hensgen, son Nick Hensgen, daughter Kathy Hensgen and partner Lauren Norton, and son Mark Hensgen, all of Raleigh. She is also survived by grandchildren Will Hensgen, Allison Hensgen, Lowell Hensgen, Gabriel Wall-Long and great-grandchildren Buxton Sigma Wollbrinck and Graham Joseph Hensgen. Also surviving are her loving brother, Bill Dougherty and sister-in-law Joan of Nashville, TN and sister-in-law Shirley Dougherty of Lexington, KY and numerous nieces and nephews. Her roots began in Barren County, KY and the family fondly remembers her singing “My Kentucky Home” throughout her lifetime. Many know Louise through ‘Mrs Hensgen’s Kindergarten’, which grew from the need to raise her six children after moving to NC. Opening in 1964 and in the family home, Louise taught hundreds of Oxford area children (and their children) for 36 years. She also kept the Sunday school nursery at the Oxford, NC St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for 27 years where she developed a very close friendship with Rev. Harrison Simons, his family and its congregation. Louise moved to Raleigh in 2000 to be near all her family. She is remembered for her story-telling, sharp mind right up to her passing, humor, passion for sports (especially tennis and Duke basketball), gentle kindness, love of dogs and unending devotion to her family. She was a teacher and pillar of strength who touched lives too numerous to count. The Hensgen family would like to thank Dr. Neeraj R. Agrawal of the Duke Raleigh Cancer Center, Louise’s caring oncologist, who was instrumental in helping this mother, grand- and great-grandmother, aunt, friend and teacher be with us nine years post diagnosis. Services will be held at 3PM, Saturday, July 23 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh with a reception immediately following for those who are able to celebrate her life and share memories with the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local SPCA, the Morrison Park Camp in Glasgow, KY (c/o Gary Bewley, 2731 Tompkinsville Rd, Glasgow, KY 42141), or another charity of your choice.