EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Frances Barbara McCarthy, age 82 years, died at Linn Health Care in East Providence, R.I. on Thursday, July 11, 2013. The wife of the late Gerald McCarthy, she had been a resident of Dartmouth for many years and recently the United Methodist Home in R.I.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Alfred and Anna (Pond) Hilton, she was a graduate of Lawrence High School in Falmouth and grew up in Woods Hole and also lived on Nantucket Island.
Barbara was an active member of the former Allen Street Methodist Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Haven United Methodist Church. She served as Treasurer of the United Fishermans Wives Organization for many years, was a choir member and member of the Kitchen Band at St. Paul's UMC and member of Church Women United.
She participated in the Women's Health Initiative and was a member of the American Cancer Society (volunteered to drive patients for cancer treatments for many years) and the American Diabetes Society.
Barbara and her husband built and operated the F/V Lark for many years-the first steel hull fishing boat in the local fleet. She loved to travel whenever possible and could be ready at a minutes notice to go anywhere and always had a knitting project with her.
Her children would like to thank the nurses and caregivers at Linn Health Care and Southcoast Cancer Center at Charlton for all their care and compassion for Mom.
Barbara is survived by her seven children: Peggy Brenner (Jerry) of Milford, N.H., Irene Newcomb (Curt) of Eastham, Ma., Ruth McCarthy of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, John McCarthy of Toledo, Oregon, and Doris Nunes (Allan), Marylou Gallop (Bill) and Jean Amaro (Willy), all of New Bedford; a sister-in-law, Betty McCarthy, of Chicago, Illinois; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to United Methodist Elder Care, 30 Alexander Ave., E. Providence, RI 02914 or the Southcoast Cancer Center at Charlton Hospital.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, July 14th from 5-7 p.m. in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., N.B. Her service will be on Monday at 10 A.M. at the funeral home followed by burial in River-side Cemetery in Fairhaven.