Obituary of Mary Agnes McCarthy

MARY AGNES McCARTHY ~ It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary (Madisha) Agnes McCarthy (nee Melnick), in her 71st year, on April 4, 2009, after a courageous battle with complications related to spinal damage as a result of a fall. Mary was a loving wife, devoted mother and step-mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and a cherished friend of many. She is forever remembered by her beloved and loving husband of 29 years, Owen, her sister, Catherine (Donny Murrant), her brothers Michael and Jonk, Staush (deceased) and Edward (deceased), her daughters Catherine (Marsden Davies) and Cheryle (Duncan Tilly), her son Bill McNabb, her step-children Peter (Carole), Maureen, Brian (Monica), Kathleen (deceased) (Robb Goss), Naomi (Rocco DiRago), and Dan (Laura), her eighteen grand children Ceri, Gareth, Meaghan, Dylan, Hadi, Michael, Virginia, Drew, Martin, Michelle, Nicole, Lindsay, Christina, Nick, Alexander, Sean, Matthew and Mitchell, and her six great-grand children Hayden, Amelia, Joseph, Sasha, Jasmine and Keith. Mary will also be missed by her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Mary was the child of Agnes and Stanley Melnick. She married John McNabb (pre-deceased) and gave birth to Catherine in Glace Bay. They moved to Ontario in 1957, where she gave birth to Cheryle and Bill in Toronto. Mary spent most of her working career with Ontario Hydro, where she met Owen. Mary and Owen were wed in 1980 in Toronto and retired to their sheep farm in Nestleton, Ontario in 1983. There, Mary took great pleasure being mid-wife to the lambs and in the day-to-day running of their little "ranch." In 2002, Mary and Owen retired from their farming life and moved to their current home in Bethany, Ontario. This was Mary’s dream home in the country and she truly loved the wild birds that visited her in the peace and solitude amongst the tall fir trees on the property. While living in Nestleton, Mary was active in her parish and will be missed by her many friends at Immaculate Conception Church in Port Perry. It was at the parish where Mary met most of her new friends in her retirement years. Mary continued her involvement in the parish after moving to Bethany. During her life, Mary’s hobbies included playing the guitar, curling, bridge and travel. But Mary’s greatest passion was for her large and extended family and she would hugely support any excuse to get the family together for a party or celebration. Nothing made Mary happier than to have her family gathered around her, eating, drinking and having fun. Mary’s greatest quality was her unselfish care and concern for others – be they family, friends or a stranger in need. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario for the gentle, caring and compassionate support they provided to Mary and the family. The family of Mary McCarthy will receive friends at the WAGG FUNERAL HOME, "McDermott Panabaker Chapel", 216 Queen Street in Port Perry (905-985 2171) on Monday, April 6th from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Port Perry on Tuesday, April 7th at 4 p.m. with Father Peter Lackmanec officiating followed by a reception in the Church Hall. If desired, memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Arthritis Society or to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waggfuneralhome.com