Lee McCarthy

One measure of a life lived well may be how much one is missed. All these years later, I miss Lee more than ever.

Lee was a talented poet and a terrific advocate for poetry, freedom of speech and individual rights. She was smart, fierce and funny, one of the most exquisite people I've ever known.

It's nice to see that I am not the only one still mourning the loss of this wonderful human being. She played a huge role in shaping me as a person.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of her grave or similar memorial, or would simply like to reminisce, I would appreciate hearing from you.

GB WUHS Class of 1982

I pulled Desire's Door down from my bookshelf and began reading it again today. Each time I open it I realize you are still teaching.

Two years since Lee's death and the memories of her passion and her intellect are indelible. The girl had "standards" and she knew good work and she knew good people. We were the fortunate ones...for the grace and pleasure of her impish humor, her rapier wit, her caustic repartee when there was a fool within sight. We were the lucky ones...to know her poetry, her letters, her readings. The world is less interesting without her. We are less interesting without her.

Lee was a great intellect and inspiration. She loved literature, words, ideas, writing. She was passionate and brilliant. I loved to talk with her. Our lunches always ran at least three hours as we had everything from poetry to our southern roots to talk about. That fabulous voice, her laugh, her wit, her capacity for great joy and intellectual banter were most appreciated. She has left a great void in Bakersfield and the writing world and we all miss her!! Nancy Edwards Bakersfield, California

Please accept my condolence for your loss of Lee; it is our loss as well.

I found this obituary because I had been thinking of her for almost a year, and decided to contact her with gratitude regarding our time together in the early 1970's.

She was a shining star in what was often the drab grey classrooms of WUHS. Full of the fire of life, drive, purpose and determination; thoughtful and inspiring.

By encouraging me to enter a national poetry competition, she was the only person that moved me beyond the confines of a small dusty town to greater possibilities. I agreed to enter and asked a friend to type the poems for submittal. The day came to post them and Lee asked me where they were. I told her they had not been returned to me and she actually took me from the classroom, found my friend's classroom, brought her to the hall, and demanded to know where the poems were. My friend had not typed them and began crying. I said, "That's alright." and Lee immediately retorted, "It certainly is NOT alright!"

Her frustration was obvious. She was attempting to show me a beautiful new world and all I could see was a girl that failed me crying. I am deeply saddened that I will now never be allowed to share that world with her. But I will acquire her books, and hold them closely to my chest, as I close my eyes between pages and consider, how beautiful are the expressions of her thoughts...

Cullen, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are much in my thoughts.
Jennifer Evans Altenhofel

We all remember the great teachers and friends and family who molded us and helped us to grow. They made sacrifices for us and saw something valuable where others did not. For that we owe them greatly. But the story does not end there. Today each of us carries on their legacy. Just as much as Ms. McCarthy's hands reach to lift us up, they still cling to us to carry her spirit where we will take it. She did not give unconditionally. The condition was that you and I would do something with what was given. And we all know that will be no small task.

I recall her telling me that I did not belong in B level english and thought I should try the honors class. Funny, because I always thought that it was her that didn't belong teaching in a small podunk of a town. Many didn't realize how lucky we were to have her in our midst.
I used to see her every year at the Fox theater during the Flix season. She looked the same as she did 20 years ago in my Eng 11B class. I never did have the nerve to approach and talk to her or simply say hello. One more thing to add to my regret list. Bummer. She'll definitely be missed.

I graduated from WUHS in 1961...wish she had been there when I was....what a stong, bright woman in such a conservative, hard shelled place. I live in the bay area but do think fondly of Wasco.

I never knew what to expect each day when I entered Mrs. McCarthy's classroom, but I always left knowing a little bit more about Boo Radley, myself, or the world. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to know her. I hope that I remembered to tell her, "thank you."

She pushed her students to be the very best they could be. Wasco High is a distant memory, but I remember her classes very fondly. She was one of a kind, to say the least. A great talent. Ms. McCarthy will be missed.