PATRICIA A. MCCARTHY

1934 - 2021

McCARTHY, Patricia A. Of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2021 at her home surrounded by family. May she rest in peace and love, knowing her tremendous capacity for loving has healed and held countless hearts. To be known by Pat was to be loved by Pat. Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents the late Thomas Splaine, Richard and Helen (Carroll) Scanlon, husband, John J. McCarthy (Retired Watertown Fire Department) and leaves behind a legacy of love. Survived by her children John and wife Kathy of Boston, Garry and wife Kelley of Acton, Timothy and wife Phyllis of Westborough, Maureen Pellegrini and husband David of Chelmsford, Kate and wife Jeanne of Oakland, CA. Adored grandmother to Sean (wife Allison), Kate (husband Brendan), Cameron (wife Mallory), Jack, Tess, Erin, Anna, Nicolas and Julia; cherished great-grandmother of Hannah, Alexa, Finnegan and Brady; devoted sister of Johanna Prindiville, Mary Connor and the late Thomas Splaine, Maureen Roehr, Patrick Scanlon and Angela Barclay. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, nephews and in-laws. A four-time cancer survivor, she showed us all how to live with kindness, dignity and grace. In 2007, Pat completed the Susan B. Komen 2 Day Avon Walk; she walked a marathon and a half with family by her side raising thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. She earned the distinction of being "the most senior" walker at 73 years young. Patricia was always very active and was employed as a corporate librarian at BBN and Program Mart in Cambridge. She retired from the workforce at age 81 from the Bedford law firm, Hamilton Brook Smith & Reynold, where for many years she was the face and voice of the firm as their receptionist. Knowing her neighbors and community was important, she was an active member of the Watertown Women's Club and a past member of the Watertown Fire Wives Association.Her devotion to her Catholic faith was strong. She was a much lauded CCD teacher at St Theresa's Church and her angelic voice was often noted at Sunday 10:30 Mass or at the annual Couples Club talent shows. Perhaps her most dedicated mission was the outreach to the homeless via the Paulist Center of Boston. For over 25 years, she and a small, dedicated group of volunteers served breakfast to over 100 homeless "guests" on the third Saturday of every month. Pat would never miss the date to serve "her guys." The mission was to serve breakfast however, the result was so much more. Guests and volunteers alike left fulfilled, valued and blessed. This was Mom's way, she often downplayed her critical role in this mission stating, "it's just the right thing to do," however this mission served and supported thousands of people in need over the years. Although she was afflicted with macular degeneration she volunteered at the Perkins School for the Blind for many years, to help in any way that she could. Pat lived a life of service and could always be found on the side of the underdog and those less fortunate. Lastly, though she had 5 children of her own, she was a 'second mom" to perhaps hundreds. From sponsoring children in Guatemala via the global Unbound program to lifting the hearts and lovingly supporting cousins, friends, acquaintances, distant relatives and even the mob of kids that grew up on Langdon Ave. People always opened their greeting to her children with, "How's your Mom"...she is a legend. Visiting Hours Wednesday, October 20th 2-7 P.M. at the Stanton Funeral Home, 786 Mt. Auburn St. (Rt. 16), WATERTOWN. Funeral Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, 770 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown on Thursday, October 21st at 10:00 A.M. Interment at Holyhood Cemetery, 584 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In Celebration of Pat's Life, bright and cheerful clothing is welcome at her services. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory to the Ed Walsh Foundation, dedicated to serving children and making them smile, https://edwalshfoundation.org Pat would really appreciate your support and allow her work of making us all smile to continue into the next generation.

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