Mary C. McCarthy, 104 years old, died at the Thomas Upham House in Medfield and was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on October 10, 2013. She was born December 24, 1908 a first generation Irish-American to John and Margaret (Donahue) McElhinney in their home at 109 South Main Street, Sherborn in the middle of a snow storm. She was the eldest of three, and was predeceased by her siblings Margaret O’Neill in 1988 and Daniel McElinney in 1981.
Mary had many interests and talents. She worked at a hat shop in Medfield as a young woman and was always handy with a needle. She also enjoyed knitting afghans for friends. Mary learned how to tell fortunes with playing cards as a young girl. Most people who knew Mary will remember having their fortune told in her living room. She often related the story of her dressing up as a gypsy and telling fortunes at a church carnival. She would laugh about how scandalous it was. Mary also loved to dance! In fact, she attributed her longevity to her dancing. She would regale listeners with stories about her adventures attending dances as often as possible in her youth. She could move with ease well into her nineties!
Mary’s social and nervous nature was matched by her husband’s quiet, calm demeanor. Robert B. McCarthy died in 1975 after sharing twenty-five years of marriage with Mary. They were life long friends and neighbors before they shared a married life.
Some would say that Mary McCarthy lived in a small world. She only lived in two homes less than a half mile from one another. She rarely strayed far from Sherborn, but she was content and deeply loved her hometown. She received the Boston Post Cane in 2009 for being the oldest living resident in Sherborn, an honor for which she was extremely grateful.
Mary is survived by her nieces Margaret (Peggy) O’Neill Sullivan, of Sherborn; AnnMarie Duprey, No. Falmouth; Kathy Craig of Falmouth; and by her nephews Nicolas O’Neill, of Sherborn, and Kevin O’Neill of Port Charlotte, Fl. She was predeceased by her nephew John O’Neill in 2010. She is also survived by great-nieces and nephews: Sean O’Neill, Kerry O’Neill, Rob O’Neill, Kevin Sullivan, and Colleen Sullivan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday October 16 at 10:00 A.M. in St Theresa of Lisieux Church 45 South Main Street Sherborn.
Visiting hours in the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common are Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment St Patrick Cemetery Natick.
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