Jeannette G. (Girardin) McCarthy, 90, of Boylston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 12 in her son’s home. Her husband, John S. McCarthy, Jr. died in 1997. She leaves her three sons, John S. McCarthy, III, and his wife Kathleen of Boylston, Kenneth E. McCarthy and his companion, Judy Farrell of Danielson, CT, and Paul D. McCarthy and his wife Helena of Rochdale; six grandchildren, Sharon Person and her husband Robert, Mary Lynn McCarthy, Michael McCarthy and his wife Chrystalle, Kenneth McCarthy, Jr. and his wife Heidi, Nicole McCarthy, Sean McCarthy; two great grandchildren, William and MacKenzie; nephews and nieces; and her canine walking companion, Ollie. She was predeceased by four brothers, Ernest, Roger, Norman, and Robert Girardin.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Ernest and Marian (Guilmain) Girardin and graduated from the former High School of Commerce, Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing, and Salter Secretarial School. She was a nurse for many years at Worcester City Hospital and Worcester County Hospital, before retiring.
For nearly 50 years, whether it was from her longtime home in Morningdale to Worcester, or more recently around the block in Rochdale, she enjoyed walking between 1 and 10 miles per day through nearly every weather condition; and not once with any altercation. A special thanks from the family to all of those stopped to offer rides, even though she never accepted.
Her latest passion involved following Boston sports teams, but none more closely than the Red Sox.
The family would like to send out it's gratitude to the nurses at St. Vincent Hospital for their care and concern. More importantly, Paulette, Beverly, and all the staff at VNA Hospice made her final days at home dignified and comfortable. It was a gift for our family, as well as our mother.
Calling hours are from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday, March 16th in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester. Her funeral is Monday, March 17th with a Mass at 10:00 A.M. in St. Aloysius-St. Jude Church, 489 Pleasant Street, Rochdale. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Veterans, Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605, or Boylston Educational Foundation, 200 Sewall Street, Boylston, MA 01505.
"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."
Thomas Paine