Barbara Kuchar Doughty

Barbara Kuchar Doughty passed away May 28, 2025, after a short illness. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, James I. Doughty. She also leaves four children, Ann L. Breeswine of Quincy WA, Dr. Paul E. Doughty of Perth, Australia, John R. Doughty of Shoreline, WA, and James P. Doughty of Mountlake Terrace, WA. 

Barbara was born August 29, 1935, in Dallas, TX to Edward and Albina Kuchar. She was the middle child of five daughters and leaves her sister, Nancy Betik of Ennis, TX, as the sole remaining “Kuchar girl.” After graduating from high school in 1953, Barbara struck out on her own, first to Seattle and a short stay at the University of Seattle. When she decided college life was not for her, she joined her older sister, Mary Alice, in Anchorage, AK. When Mary Alice’s husband, Walter Marusak, was discharged from the US Air Force, the Marusaks returned to Texas, and Barbara returned to Seattle. For the Christmas holidays of 1960, the Seattle girls went to Hawaii for a brief vacation. Barbara enjoyed the islands so much, she took a job in Honolulu and never returned to Seattle. Then on Halloween, 1961, she attended a dance party where she met a Coast Guard officer, Jim Doughty. The two hit it off right away, and they were married in Honolulu on April 27, 1962.

Little did Barbara know she would spend the next 17 years as a service wife, traveling to various Coast Guard stations around the world. After Jim retired from the Coast Guard, they settled in the best place they had been stationed: Seattle. Finally, staying in one place for more than 2 years, Barbara took up her long time desire to draw. She became a very accomplished artist and won many awards for her efforts. She was a devout Roman Catholic and participated in some of the Catholic church’s groups. Barbara will be missed by her many friends.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Thursday, June 19th, at 11 AM at St Mark Catholic Church, 18033 15th Place N.E., Shoreline WA 98155. A reception will follow.