Ethel R. McCarthy (Grandma Mc), 99, Peshtigo, formerly of Oconto Falls, died Sunday evening, Jan. 19, 2014, at Rennes Health Center-West.
She was born June 9, 1914, in Oconto Falls to Charles and Rachel (Temple) Gallagher. Ethel grew up in the Oconto Falls area, where she attended school, graduating from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1932. Following graduation from high school, she went on to attend teachers training and then taught school.
On Feb. 16, 1935, she married John McCarthy in Gillett. After their marriage, the couple lived in Milwaukee and then farmed in the Gillett area for some time. Upon moving back to Milwaukee, Ethel was employed in quality control at Continental Can Co. for 25 years, where she loved her work. They also enjoyed vacationing at their cottage in Crivitz, where they eventually retired.
Following John’s death in 1987, Ethel moved in 1991 to Oconto Falls, where she became a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Ethel was known by many as Grandma Mc. Grandma Mc absolutely loved her Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day and usually had her nails painted Irish green. Grandma lived a beautiful, full life, always treasuring her family.
Grandma Mc loved her kids and all her grandchildren very much. She loved to tell stories and recite poetry and could do it exceptionally well her entire life. In addition to her great love for her family, she loved football and driving her car.
As a proud grandma, she enjoyed campaigning for her grandson John Gard during all of his elections and even spent some time volunteering in his Capitol office.
Grandma loved God deeply and found great strength in her faith. One of her great gifts was her ability to make everyone she met feel like an immediate friend, and she could put a smile on anyone’s face. There was nothing quite as special as Grandma Mc’s joyous laugh and the twinkle in her Irish eyes.
Survivors are one daughter, Dixie (Herbert) Gard, Lena; one son, Patrick (Jean) McCarthy, Greenfield; 10 grandchildren, Kathy (Tom) Delwiche, John (Cate) Gard, Joe (Karen) Gard, Fred (Julie) Gard, Marie (Thad) Rezin, Ed (Michelle) Gard, Paul (Debbie) Gard, Peter (Sarah) Gard; Katie McCarthy and Kevin McCarthy; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband, John, she was also preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 209 E. Main St., Lena. A prayer service is scheduled at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church after 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, until the time of the service.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Celestine Byekwaso officiating, assisted by Ethel’s grandson, Deacon Peter Gard. Entombment will take place in Forest Home Mausoleum in Marinette.
Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls is serving the McCarthy family.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Grandma Mc memorial fund has been established, and donations can be sent to 9207 Belgian Road, Lena, WI 54139.
The family would like to thank all those amazing people who cared for Grandma at Rennes Health Center.
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