Nikki Linda Daugherty

Nikki L. Daugherty, 66, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2026, just two days before her 67th birthday.

Born on October 19, 1959, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in Dover, Ohio, Nikki built a life centered on family, friendship, learning, and curiosity. She married her beloved husband, Paul F. Daugherty, on January 22, 1983, and together they raised three children, Abbi, Joseph, and Carli.

Nikki was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Akron School of Law. She went on to build a distinguished career with Matthew Bender & Co., Inc., where she spent 25 years as Director of Government Relations.

A lifelong and avid reader, Nikki also loved food, travel, and the challenge of a good crossword puzzle. Her curiosity about the world, along with a remarkable store of knowledge gathered through books and experience, made her especially adept at the New York Times and Los Angeles Times crosswords.

Above all, Nikki treasured her family. She especially loved being “Nanna” to her eight grandchildren and took great joy in the life her family built together in and around Charlottesville.

She is survived by her husband, Paul F. Daugherty; her three children, Abbi Alley, her husband David, their children Flora, Frankie, and Sammy, Joseph Daugherty, his wife Julia, their children Maddie, Ellie, and Orin, and Carli Daugherty, her husband Jason Phipps, their children William and Henry.

She is also survived by her sisters, Debbie Seusy and her husband, Russ Ford and Melissa Berry and her husband, Curtis, as well as a wide circle of extended family and friends who will miss her deeply.

Nikki was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Florence Stofan, and by her sisters, Lynn Tasker and Suzy Anthony.

When Nikki heard about a family facing food insecurity, it touched her heart. Instead of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which you can find at https://give.brafb.org/campaign/711396/donate.

A celebration of Nikki’s life will be held after the holidays.

An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com

Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is honored to serve Nikki’s family.