Jean’s Obituary Fitchburg-Jean C. McCarthy, 94, died Sunday, January 27, 2019 at her home after an illness. Jean leaves her caregivers Matt and Karen Johnson of Lunenburg and a nephew, Kevin McCarthy of Fitchburg. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles H. McCarthy Jr. and a nephew, Brian McCarthy.
She was born in Fitchburg, on January 3, 1925, a daughter of the late Charles H. and Catherine I. (Beer) McCarthy. She graduated from St. Bernard Central High School in 1943 and was a member of the St. Bernard Alumni Association. She completed courses in Municipal Management at Mt.
Wachusett Community College. She was employed by the City of Fitchburg Park and Recreation and Forestry for 43 years, retiring in 1991. She served as the Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds, City Forester and Administrative Assistant to the board of Park Commissioners.
As a founding member of the National Council of Catholic Laity, she served as a Parish Council consultant in the New England area. She served as President of the Worcester Diocesan Council of Priest, Religious and Laity and was a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. She served as a Lay Director of the Diocesan Cursillo Movement and was a member of St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus Church.
Jean founded the Montachusett Unit of the American Cancer Society in 1971 and served as the first President and was member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library and was a Notary Public for several years. She was a Past Regent of the Jeanne d”Arc Circle #44, Daughters of Isabella and was a Past State Secretary of the Massachusetts Daughters of Isabella. She was a member of the Irish American Association.
She was an elected member of the Democratic City Committee, a member of the Fitchburg Retired Municipal Employees Association, an Honorary Life Member of the Massachusetts Foresters Association, a member of the Commission of the Statues of Women in the Dukakis Administration and for many years, was listed in the Who’s Who of American Woman in three categories: church, civic and community. Jean’s caregivers and nephew would like to express their gratitude to the French Connection caregivers who assisted in Jean’s care with dignity and compassion in her final days. Jean’s funeral will be on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 Burial will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery, Fitchburg, MA.
There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Friends of Coggshall, P.O. Box 792, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to the charity of one’s choice. The Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli and the Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 243 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA has been entrusted with Jean’s funeral arrangements.
John F. Masciarelli, Walter C. Taylor and James M. Hebert, funeral directors.
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