Katherine E. McCarthy

Katherine E. (Smith) McCarthy, 96, of Madonna Manor, North Washington Street, North Attleboro; formerly of Smith Street, North Attleboro, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Madonna Manor surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Henry K. “Harry” McCarthy who died in June 1987.

Born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts on September 18, 1913, she was the daughter of the late John F. and Brigid (Hannan) Smith. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in her youth and was a graduate of North Attleboro High School and Bryant College.

She resided in her native community of North Attleboro for most of her life and was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church on Park Street in North Attleboro where she received all of her sacraments and celebrated her faith for decades. At church she was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the St. Mary’s Guild.

Mrs. McCarthy was employed as a dental assistant for Drs. Henry and Robert Bedard for over 25 years prior to her retirement in 1978.

She enjoyed knitting and cooking but treasured most the time spent creating lifelong memories with her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. McCarthy leaves three children: Marcia Torpey and her husband, Frank Torpey, of Rockville, Maryland; Brian McCarthy and his wife, Connie (Kelly) McCarthy, of Barrington, Rhode Island and Mary-Ellen Gillis of North Attleboro; seven grandchildren: Dr. Brian Torpey of Colts Neck, New Jersey; Kerin Bashaw of Palo Alton, California; Sean Torpey of Rockville, Maryland; Katherine Torpey of Los Angeles, California; Susan Bielan of Mansfield; Megan McCarthy of San Francisco, California and Michael McCarthy of New York, New York; eleven great grandchildren: McCall Torpey, Colin Bashaw, Kendall Torpey, Brennan Torpey, Sean Bashaw, Matthew Torpey, Ryan Torpey, Jack Torpey, Samantha Bielan, Matthew Bielan and Benjamin Bielan; a dear sister: Agnes Byrnes of North Attleboro and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

She was the mother of the late Kevin E. McCarthy who died on June 29, 2002 and was the sister of the late John F. Smith.

Public visitation has been respectfully omitted.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:30 PM at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Park Street, North Attleboro with the Rev. David A. Costa, Pastor, officiating. There will be no funeral cortege from the funeral home prior to the funeral Mass.

Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Attleboro.

Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a late afternoon reception to be held at 4:00 PM in Barrington, Rhode Island at a location to be announced.

Please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) (3) organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760 to benefit the Madonna Manor Nursing Home.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.