Meghan Mary McCarthy
...an Inspiration to all who came to know her; 17
TEWKSBURY - Meghan Mary McCarthy, age 17, a Tewksbury Memorial High School Senior who received her T.M.H.S. Diploma in a semi-private bedside ceremony on January 13th, died Tuesday, January 19th surrounded by her loving family, following an incredible and inspirational journey that began with a medical diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme in June of her Freshman year at Tewksbury Memorial High School. Her two and a half year journey has been highlighted with a meeting with the Jonas Brothers Band, countless trips to Fenway Park that included a personal meeting with her favorite player Dustin Pedroia, a personal meeting with the Red Sox players at Spring Training in Ft. Myers, Florida, and a Make-A-Wish "Swim with the Dolphins" at Atlantis in the Bahamas. Her amazing journey has also included the honor of being a Poster Child for the Stop and Shop's Brain Tumor Awareness Campaign, being a Keynote Speaker for the annual "Par Fore the Cure" fundraiser, being named one of the Lowell Sun Newspaper’s Most Fascinating People of 2008, throwing out the first pitch at Dustin Pedroia Day at the LeLacheur Field’s Lowell Spinner's Baseball game, a Flying Henrys Pedal Partner in the Pan Mass Challenge, and the January 2010 "Hat's Off" recipient offered by the Tewksbury Rotary Club. Along the way she has raised more than twenty two thousand dollars toward the fight to cure cancer in the Rally Against Cancer, and inspired countless others to donate time or money as well.
Her life began in Nashua, NH, on August 17, 1992, when born to Lisette "Lee" (Paquette) McCarthy of Tewksbury, and James F. McCarthy of Laconia, NH. She resided in Tewksbury her entire life.
In her youth, she was active in Tewksbury Youth Girls Basketball, and continued into her senior year as a member of the TMHS Girls Basketball Team. She also was active in Tewksbury Youth Soccer. She was a four year player and senior year Captain of the TMHS Field Hockey Team, and was also a member of the TMHS Women's Track and Field team during her freshman and sophomore years, stopping only when chemotherapy moved her to the sidelines.
Besides her parents, she is survived by her mother’s life partner Ronald Parizo of Tewksbury; two brothers, Teagan S. McCarthy of Tewksbury, and Tyler H. McCarthy of Tewksbury; maternal grandparents, F. Andre and Margaret (LaPlante) Paquette of Laconia, NH; paternal grandmother, Helen (Dellheim) McCarthy of Boxford; many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends; along with her faithful friend and family dog, Cloe.
She was predeceased by a sister and brother in their infancy, Michelle and Francis McCarthy; and her paternal grandfather, Eugene McCarthy.
Her funeral was Saturday, Jan. 23. Her burial was at St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. Memorials to the Pan Mass Challenge / The Flying Henrys, c/o Sherry Iuliano, 411 Salem Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, are appreciated.