Don Doherty 9/4/52 - 8/1/10 Our beloved husband, brother, uncle, stepfather, father-in-law, grandfather & great-grandfather passed away unexpectedly while he slept, Sunday, August 1, 2010, from a heart attack. Don was born in Burlington on September 4, 1952, to Elizabeth and Louis Doherty. He attended Burlington schools, graduating from B.E.H.S. in 1970. Don had a lifelong interest in horses and all things western. While in grade school, Don's mother would ride her horse and lead Don's horse to Westview to pick him up after school - much to the envy of students boarding big yellow buses for the ride home. Don received an AA degree from Skagit Valley College and, pursuing his interest in horses, attended the Farrier Science program at Olympic Community College. He was a blacksmith for two years, and then became interested in law enforcement. Don joined the Mount Vernon Police Department in March of 1980 and had just celebrated his 30th year with the department. Don was an avid hunter in his earlier years and enjoyed fishing and camping. In 1987, Don met Sandie Blackburn and in 1992, they were married in Lake Tahoe. Don and Sandie enjoyed plays at the 5th Avenue Theater and spent time at the Washington and Oregon coasts at every opportunity. Don was a very caring and loving person who would do anything for his family and friends. Words cannot express how much we miss him and there is a giant hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Don is survived by his wife Sandie, sister Carolyn Hillier (Doug), nieces Rachel, Carly and Madelyn Hillier, stepdaughter Cathi Chard (Dennis), stepson Scott Blackburn (Leslie), grandaughter Jessica Blackburn (Jimmy), and great-grandaughter Kelly. Don was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Elizabeth Doherty, and mother-in-law June Fader. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, August 6th, at 2:30pm, at Hawthorne Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.