Anne McCarthy Discenza

POQUOSON - Anne McCarthy Discenza, 68, died suddenly on September 2, 2013 at Rappahannock General Hospital, Virginia. She had been on a boat trip for the weekend with her husband, Joseph Discenza of Poquoson, along with many friends from the Poquoson Yacht Club. Anne was born January 18, 1945 in Somerville, MA, daughter of the late James and Maureen McCarthy and younger sister to Emmett. Anne attended Somerville School of Nursing, and while there she met her eventual husband, Joe, who was a young officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Anne and Joe were married in June 1966 and were stationed in a number of locations during Joe's career. They raised three fine sons, even though much of the parenting fell to Anne, as many times Anne would reminisce, "…and of course the ship was out." In 1984, after Joe's retirement from the Coast Guard, the family moved to Poquoson, Virginia where Anne and Joe lived since. She became active in the community, as a booster for Poquoson High School organizations, participant in many church ministries, and volunteer in Poquoson Yacht Club activities, including a term as Club Commodore. She is survived by Joe, her loving husband of 47 years; a brother and sister-in-law, Emmett and Jayne McCarthy of Mechanicville, NY; three sons and their families, Joseph and Nicole Discenza of Tampa, FL, Gregg and Deb Discenza of Springfield, VA, and Len and Miriam Discenza of Arlington, VA. She leaves five beautiful and loving grandchildren, Lizzie 13, Catherine 12, Danny 10, Becky 9, and Michael 7, besides a large extended family and near-family from Massachusetts to California to Florida, and Ireland. Anne was well known for her gourmet cooking, her sharp wit, her welcoming smile, and her ready ear. Although admittedly shy, she readily made new friends, and held those friends close. Anne enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake, finding new recipes to share with family, golfing, and traveling with her husband. A Mass of the Resurrection will be performed by the Rev. Charles Faul at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 3800 Big Bethel Road, Tabb, VA, on Friday, September 6, at 11:00 AM, followed by a brief inurnment in the church columbarium. Friends and family are invited to enjoy refreshments in celebration of Anne's life from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Poquoson Yacht Club, 417 Messick Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the school of St. Kateri Tekakwitha's Haitian twin parish of St. Michel, Boucan-Carre. Contributions may be made by check to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, and designate "Haiti School Program" in the memo line. Claytor Rollins Funeral Home, Poquoson, is helping with arrangements. Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com .