Carol A. "DeCross" McGrath

Carol A (DeCross) McGrath, of Braintree, formally of Quincy and Amsterdam NY, died peacefully on February 7th, 2026. She was 86 years young.

Daughter of the late Nicholas DeCross and Tosca (Vanelli) DeCross, and the loving wife of the late John T. McGrath for 52 years. She is also survived by and proudly known as the mother of Scott Joseph McGrath of Braintree and Mark Christopher McGrath of Manchester NH. Carol also leaves cousins and her extended family consisting of "adopted" chosen sisters and neighborhood grandchildren; a special BRO; her 12 Sisters of the Heart; her Willow Street family, and a very special priest whose humanness and friendship created untold happiness and joy in her life, Fr. David Callahan.

Carol was a graduate of Oneonta State Teacher's College and spent 28 very happy years with children in Amsterdam NY, Newton MA, and finally Braintree. She absolutely loved every child she came in contact with and remained in touch with many of them until her passing. Her other great love was animals and in her daily travels you would always find her pockets filled with treats for her canine friends. After her John passed in 2020, her companion became a rescue cat found by her son Mark. Carol named him Fenway and he quickly became her shadow. Other interests were playing golf, crossword puzzles, writing poetry, and her beloved Red Sox and Patriots.

Carol was a communicant and lector of St. Thomas More Parish, as well as an extraordinary minister, facilitator for the Protecting God's Children program, and a volunteer for the food pantry and Braintree Children's Clothes Closet.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, February 16th, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Cartwright-Venuti Funeral Home, 845 Washington St., Braintree. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 17th, at 10:30 AM in Sacred Heart Church, 72 Washington Street, Weymouth. Burial will follow in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the MSPCA or to St. Judes Ranch for Children.

For directions or to leave a sympathy message for the family, visit www.cartwrightfuneral.com.