Catherine M. McCarthy, 85, of Worcester, passed away peacefully to her eternal reward on Saturday, May 3rd in Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, after a short illness. She leaves several friends and cousins, the Walsh, Houlihan, McCabe, Sullivan, Auer, Karpinsky, and Reilly families; and her beloved Godchildren, Kevin Reilly, James O’Brien, Patrice Auer, Colleen and Maureen Karpinsky, and Kevin Dorsey.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late John J. and Mary G. (Houlihan) McCarthy. After her mother’s passing when Catherine was just 3, her father married Elizabeth A. (O’Reilly) and together they raised her. Miss McCarthy graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1947. She was a clerk and operator for New England Telephone, now Verizon, for 44 years, retiring in 1991. Catherine was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Angels Church, where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of the William J. Denver Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, working in its thrift shop, and received the Top Hat Award in 2001. Miss McCarthy crocheted hats and afghans for premature babies born at St. Vincent Hospital and received a pin for volunteering for more than 2000 hours.
Miss McCarthy enjoyed gardening and plants and was an avid traveler; she greatly enjoyed Ireland, Greece, Hawaii, and often visited New York. Although she never had children, Catherine had a huge family of friends filled with love and faith, and she shared so much with all of them, especially her beloved honorary grandson, Jackson. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. A special thanks to the staff of Notre Dame Long Term Care and Notre Dame Hospice for the care they provided Catherine during her illness.
The funeral is Wednesday, May 7th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 10:00 A.M. in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday, May 6th from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Donations in her memory can be made to Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603.