Jean L. (O’Connell) McCarthy, 88, of Marlborough and formerly a long time resident of Southborough, died on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at Beaumont of Northborough. She was the beloved wife of Paul McCarthy who passed away in December 2017.
Born in Framingham, she was daughter of the late Alfreda Mae (Thistle) and Charles E. O’Connell.
Jean was a 1948 graduate of the former Peter’s High School in Southborough. Prior to having children she was a banker, then took on the role of nurse, teacher, adviser and comforter in raising her 6 children.
Jean was an active member of both St. Anne’s Church in Southborough and Friends of the Southborough Library.
She spent many hours on the beaches in Florida collecting shells which she turned into wall hangings, shell flowers, vases and Christmas ornaments. Her passion was counted cross stitch filling her walls with lighthouses, birds and uplifting phrases. Jean also enjoyed gardening, which she was very “meticulous” about, which is a word that best describes everything she did in life. Her greatest joy was her family.
She is survived by her children, Dennis McCarthy and his wife Linda of Hudson; Laurie McCarthy of Marlborough; Gary ‘Lou’ McCarthy of Worcester; Brian McCarthy and his wife Karen of Uxbridge; Karen McCarthy and her partner Audra Beauvais of Portsmouth; Kathleen Montgomery-Cardillo and her husband John Cardillo of Northborough; her grandchildren, Amie McCarthy, David McCarthy and his wife Emily, Claire McCarthy and her partner Curtis Cadoret; Christine McCarthy; Sage McCarthy Beauvais; Troy and Devin Montgomery; John Cardillo, III; and a great grandchild, John McCarthy. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her brother, Raymond O’Connell.
Visiting hours [was] held on Sunday, November 4, from 2 to 5 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough.
A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 5 at 10 am at St Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough. Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Friends of Southborough Library 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisSouthboroughfuneral.com.
(Obituary and photo via Morris Funeral Home)
