Irene (Pendolari) McCarthy of Southborough, age 92, died at her home surrounded by her loved ones, on Monday, September 14, 2015.
A native of Framingham, Irene was the oldest child of the late Romeo and Alena (Boudreau) Pendolari, two of the town’s original 20th century entrepreneurs. Irene shared their drive and spark, graduating from Framingham High School and Regis College, and then began her professional career in the accounting department at General Motors. She married the late James Russell “Russ” McCarthy, and raised four children during her sixty years as his loving wife. She returned to professional life in 1973, first at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, and then for the Babson College Center for Entrepreneurship, where she enjoyed almost twenty years as conference coordinator for the school’s BCERC program, retiring at age 79.
Irene is survived by her children, Cheryl McCarthy of Westborough, Mimi Hatch and her husband John of Albuquerque, NM, Laura McCarthy, DVM, (Maj., USMC, Ret.) of Reisterstown, MD and James R. “Jim” McCarthy, Jr. and his wife Julia of Southborough; grandsons Mark Hoyt and his wife Kristen, Greg and Brad Hoyt of Maryland, and J. Russell and Devin McCarthy of Southborough. She is also survived by her beloved great-grandson Jackson, who brought her immense joy in her final years. She is survived by siblings Romeo “Buddy” Pendolari and Roberta (Pendolari) Poulos and her husband Peter of Framingham, and nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Dennis Pendolari.
Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4:00-7:00 PM at Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St., Framingham.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend her funeral Mass on Saturday at 10:00 AM at Church of St. Anne, 20 Boston Road. (Rte. 30), Southborough, followed by her burial. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Church of St. Anne, 20 Boston Rd., Southborough, MA 01772 or Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Ave., #2, Framingham, MA 01702.
(Obituary contributed by family)
A great woman who I had known for a short time she had such a zest for life and character and compassion for others quick with a joke and love of fashion.
In my thoughts and prayers rest in peace Irene.I will miss you but
Never forget you. The angels are taking good care of you.
Mary
Irene McCarthy was a very genuine lady. She was warm and welcoming to all — the kind of person you always looked forward to seeing! That will be missed by all those who knew her. But no doubt her greatest legacy to Southborough is the two subsequent McCarthy generations she nurtured so well. As parents we all hope that we can accomplish the goal of making our mark on our children and grandchildren so that they can carry forward, foremost, as good citizens and kind friends and neighbors. Irene need never wonder whether she managed that goal. Rest in peace.