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ROBERTA "Bobbie" McCARTHY
ROBERTA "Bobbie" McCARTHY
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ROBERTA McCARTHY Obituary
ROBERTA GREENE McCARTHY "Bobbie" (Age 74)
Died suddenly of a series of massive heart attacks on June 29, 2017, at Washington Hospital Center. Born in the Bronx, New York and a graduate of Syracuse University, Bobbie was a consummate public servant from her earliest days in the Peace Corps. She was the first woman to become a Director of Oral Histories at the John F. Kennedy Library, and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Director of Save America's Treasures both in the White House and at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and finally as Vice Chairman of Vital Voices, a human rights organization founded by Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Secretary of State Madelaine Albright. Ms. McCarthy is survived by her adored husband, Patrick McCarthy; her twin brother, Jeff Weiss; her sons, Davey Greene (Kami) and Neil Greene (Erica); her self-described bonus daughters, Kelly, Jeanne, and Julie McCarthy, and 10 grandchildren. Bobbie's parents, Joseph A. Weiss and Irene Gassen Weiss, predeceased her. At Bobbie's wishes the family will hold a private service at Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC. A Memorial Service in her honor will be held on September 9, 2017 at a time and location in Washington, DC to be announced. The family requests that donations be sent to National Public Radio, c/o 1111 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jan Turnquist
June 26, 2022
I think of Bobbie so often. We bonded strongly when we worked together to bring First Lady Laura Bush to her first visit to a Save America's Treasures site, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Our friendship grew over the years and I, like all of you, was devastated to learn of her much too early passing. Love you, Bobbie! You'll always be a part of me and of Orchard House.
Jan Turnquist
June 26, 2020
I think of Bobbie so often and miss her cheerful presence . Our friendship was forged when she and I worked so closely to bring First Lady Laura Bush to Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, which was a Save America's Treasure site. Bobbie was an amazing leader of that program. She was always ready with advice laced with her wonderful sense of humor. Everyone at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House benefitted from her support. I always felt extremely fortunate to call her my friend, as well. She will always be a light. Sending love to all of those who love and miss Bobbie. Jan Turnquist, Executive Director, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
September 9, 2017
Tonight I learned of Bobbie's passiung and my heart is sad. Bobbie was the kindest most loving person I ever met. She cared deeply about everyone she met. My prayers to her family.
Chris Tenne Pendleton, president & CEO Edison & Ford Winter Estates
September 2, 2017
Bobbie will be remembered at Edison Ford as the important figure whose engagement and interest enabled us to take on the massive restoration project to save the estates. She also gave me the confidence to continue until we created the non profit corporation to continue our work and operate successfully. I will never forget her determination and winning ways . She was a great lady in every way and will be missed but remembered with pride .
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Robbie Jones
August 30, 2017
I just learned of Bobbie's passing and am so saddened. Through her work at Save America's Treasures, my life and career were profoundly impacted. We worked together for 5 years on the First Hermitage Restoration at Andrew Jackson's home in Nashville. She was such a kind and wonderful person. Everyone who knew Bobbie, loved her. She will be greatly missed.
Governor Kurt Riley
August 2, 2017
On behalf of the Pueblo of Acoma, I would like to express out community's condolences to the family of Bobbie McCarthy. Bobbie was a close friend of Acoma, providing support and friendship in a variety of ways. The most notable being her work with Save America's Treasures, that supported the restoration efforts of the San Esteban del Rey Mission atop our ancestral home of "Sky City". May our Creator welcome her with open arms and console her family that remain with us.
joanne lalonde hayes
July 26, 2017
Bobbie McCarthy was one of my heroes. Her kindness and compassion were always on display and she made real contributions to the lives of women everywhere. I traveled with Bobbie through Myanmar and watched the way she dealt with everyone from leaders of nations to the humblest of servants.
It is not often we meet people who inspire us to the good. Bobbie was one of those people and I will miss her. My sincere condolences to her loving family. Joanne
Annette Lindstrom-Brun
July 18, 2017
On behalf of the entire HGTV family, we send our heart-felt condolences to the family and friends of Bobbie Greene McCarthy. She was a shining light at the National Trust and always greeted us with warmth and kindness. We all loved her energy and passion for preservation and are incredibly grateful to have known her. Sending peace to all those whose hearts she touched.
Dorian & Elaine Walker
July 16, 2017
We are simply devastated to learn of Bobbie's passing. She was always such a positive, can-do person who not only made an indelible mark on preservation nation-wide, but also had a significant impact on our community of Bowling Green, Kentucky. We all wonder about the impact we have on our world and whether it is a better place because we live in it. With Bobbie Greene McCarthy, there can be no doubt that our world is a much better place because of her passion, her dedication and her work. We were blessed to have known her. Dorian and Elaine Walker
Bobbie and Bruce Beckham (Tourism Cares) having a laptop lesson with "Louisa May Alcott" (Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist)
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
July 16, 2017
The Staff and Board of Directors of Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House (Concord, MA) wish to express our heartfelt sorrow over Bobbie's passing. Without her indefatigable support and encouragement, our massive and much-needed Preservation Project would not have come to fruition. She was the heart and soul of Save America's Treasures because she put her heart and soul into each and every project to ensure the continuance of America's most beloved and significant sites. More than that, her kindness, humor, and grace were an endless source of inspiration and comfort for us all. We will never forget her, and send our love and prayers to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Gordon Travers
July 16, 2017
I just learned of Bobbie's passing, and am stunned and saddened. Bobbie and I met after I joined the Board of The Mount. She had played an oversized role years earlier in raising funds necessary to restore this beautiful and important property, and again worked tirelessly with me and the leadership team to help us through some very difficult times in the 2008-2010. Her friendship, support, encouragement, and never-empty well of optimism played a significant role in helping us write a happy ending to the "Save The Mount" Campaign. She will be missed by all who knew her and by the many American Treasures that she helped save.
Jan Turnquist
July 16, 2017
I am heartbroken to hear of Bobbie's passing. She was truly one of the great ones! Her joy and enthusiasm when working with me to bring Laura Bush to our Save America's Treasures project for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House blossomed into a real friendship. I, too, will miss that beautiful smile, generous spirit and wise counsel that I could always count on from Bobbie. On behalf of all of us at Orchard House, I offer deepest condolences to Patrick and her beloved family. Bobbie talked about all of you with such pride. I'll never forget the twinkle in her eye when she explained the term "Bonus Daughters." The term daughters-in-law just wasn't warm enough for Bobbie! That's one small memory out of hundreds that remind me of Bobbie's tenderness. I loved her! She will be sorely missed. Jan Turnquist
July 15, 2017
Bobbie took me under her wing as I was beginning to apply for bricks & mortar funding from the Save America's Treasures program for the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum. Her patience and guidance were the greatest rewards of working with this fine program ... such a valuable asset in our collective efforts to save this nation's treasures. We continued our friendship long afterwards, which led to Bobbie's attendance and speech at our Grand Opening several years ago. I was personally so grateful for her unmatched interest in the SAT projects. An extraordinary woman with endless compassion and energy for all the right reasons. Robert Oliver, Cuero, Texas
ruth usem
July 14, 2017
I am shocked and saddened to learn about my friend, Bobbie Greene McCarthy's passing! She brought me into each part of her life and we had a long and rich friendship. I can't believe she, of the ever-smiling and beautiful face and bright mind, is gone from our midst. My heart goes out to Patrick and her entire beloved family. I treasure my memories of so many great times together, over these past 30 years. I will miss her in my life. She was a treasure to each organization fortunate enough to have Bobbie at the helm. Ruthie Usem
Susan Glendinning
July 14, 2017
I was saddened to hear the loss of Bobbie. She was the person who got me involved with Vital Voices. She will be sorely missed by many for her compassion, intelligence, charm and determination.
Pat Webb
July 14, 2017
Oh my. So, so sorry. She was a tremendous friend. I was going to contact her today!
Megan Brown
July 8, 2017
Bobbie was the voice of Save America's Treasures and through that voice many places dear to our American Heritage were saved. And now that the program is funded again, her legacy will continue, hopefully for many more years. We will miss her tireless energy in the preservation world. It is so needed.
Judith Cohen
July 8, 2017
I am Bobbie's sister-in-law but she always called me her sister. I had a wonderful visit with her the extended family of children and grandchildren in the Berkshires just days before her sudden death. I have more than fifty years of wonderful memories of her.
July 7, 2017
We are saddened by the news of Bobbie's passing. Her preservation legacy lives on through the many places she helped save, and the millions of people who have experienced them as a result of her good work.
With sympathy,
The Staff of President Lincoln's Cottage
July 7, 2017
The world is a lesser place without you, dear Bobbie.
Carol Hillman (Brookline, MA)
Gigi Scoles
July 5, 2017
I was so sad to hear of Bobbie's passing. I enjoyed getting to know her when we worked together at Vital Voices, and enjoyed her continued support and advice thereafter. Bobbie had a warm heart and generous spirit. What makes me smile the most when I think of her is her fabulous sense of style. It seemed there was a story behind every wonderful scarf or uniquely designed jacket. She was a very special woman. I send my heartfelt condolences to her family. She really adored you all. Thinking of you all throughout this difficult time.
Anita McBride
July 5, 2017
I am deeply heartbroken by the news of Bobbie's passing. She was so special and I loved our years of working together. Most especially I loved becoming friends. I will miss her terribly.
Michael DiRienzo
July 4, 2017
May you rest in peace, my dear BobbIe, and may perpetual light shine upon you.
July 3, 2017
Dear Patrick,
We can't believe our beautiful and always caring Bobbie is gone. She came into my life with the birth of Vital Voices nearly twenty years ago and although not nearly enough time to spend together I will treasure our sisterhood. I know dear Patrick how much she adored you and the family you shared. We pray your memories will sustain you now until you are together again for eternity.
Love
Mary & John Yerrick
July 3, 2017
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Roberta, but grateful for her service to our nation, including her service with the Peace Corps in Kenya.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
July 2, 2017
Dear David & Neal & family, the loss of such a giving, loving & good person diminishes not only those that your mom touched, but all those beyond the concentric circles so that she added to the good in mankind. Bobbie's zest for life will warm your memories in the years ahead. With my thoughts & condolences, Bob Price
Par Lotto
July 2, 2017
Dear Greene/McCarthy Clan
How can this be? She was rhe most alive person--always worried for others well being and there to protect us all. The loss is crushing to me and unimaginable for you. My heart is so broken. Aunt Patty
Marie Mattson
July 2, 2017
My deepest condolences for the loss of this very special woman.
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