Obituary of Martha J. McCarthy

SOUTHBURY – Martha J. “Jo” (Summers) McCarthy, 84, passed away on March 17, 2016 at Southbury, CT. She was the wife of the late Frederick J. McCarthy who predeceased her in 2012. Mrs. McCarthy was born September 26, 1931 in Denver, CO the daughter of Elsie Willman Summers and Edward Summers. Martha attended Staten Island Community college while raising her children and graduating in the mid-1970s. She then worked as a Medical Assistant for Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC and later for Union Carbide in Danbury, CT until her retirement. Martha had a lifelong love of opera and saw many performances in New York City as well as the Bushnell in Hartford. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years and a volunteer at St. Patrick’s R.C. church in Richmondtown, Staten Island. Martha took piano lessons in the 1970’s, spent countless hours making doll clothes for her children and grandchildren, drapes and curtains for many of her children’s apartments and then homes and was a tireless volunteer at the Lady of Hope Mission in Morris, CT and Our Lady of Grace Church in Bantam, CT always providing the decorations and coverings for the altar throughout the many years she and Fred lived in Bantam. Martha was married to Frederick J. McCarthy, Jr. of Staten Island, NY for 57 years before he passed and raised their five children on Staten Island until 1978 and after retiring, lived happily at their home on Deer Island, CT as well as in Bay Head Shores, NJ enjoying gardening, holding many family celebrations and hosting game nights. Her dogs were always special to her and her black lab Satin (the 2nd) provided great comfort to her in her last years. Martha and Fred were always on the go and enjoyed traveling to the Eastern Shore in particular, Maine, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Maryland, as well as in California their favorite places being San Diego and Monterey. Trips to Ireland and England were made together. Special thanks to her devoted companion Rita and Inga and Stella, to the staff of the Keepsake Village at the Hearth and to VITAS hospice. Mrs. McCarthy is survived by her children Rosemary (Peter Harbeson), Julia Ann, Catherine (Steve Brennan), Marcia, Ted (Wendy McCarthy); her grandchildren Oksana Harbeson, Amanda (Brown) Smallhorn and Michael Brown, Ryan McCarthy and Taylor McCarthy; her brother Ed; her sister in law Maureen Dugan (and Richard); and brothers in law William(and Beth) and Robert (and Judy) McCarthy. She is survived by her dear friends Jo and Kathy from Carbide and Micheline and Jos from Staten Island. Arrangements – Funeral service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck 201 Meadow St. is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association the CT Chapter 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489 or to VITAS Hospice 199 Park Rd. Ext., Suite 102, Middlebury, CT 06762.