Bill, Mary, and family,

Sending my deepest sympathies on the loss of your wife and mother. May her soul rest in peace and may you all find comfort in knowing that she is at rest!

Vikki Castellano and Family

Dear Bill and family,

I was so sorry to learn the news of Cecilia. I know you are all heartbroken, but hope you can all find comfort from shared memories and strength from the support of family and friends.

My prayers are with you all.

Hi Sheila,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I am sending my deepest sympathy to you and your family. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

To the family and friends of the late Mrs. McCarthy, you have my deepest condolences and sympathies for your loss. I have never met Mrs. McCarthy, but if her son, my roommate Billy, is any indication she must have been a warm and loving person and one who will be sorely missed.

Uncle Bill and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of a great lady in aunt Cecelia. She was a caring and understanding woman. Sorry I was unable to make it up there but you are all in my thoughts and prayers. She will be sorely missed. Love Erin and Scott

Dear Bill and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope all of your fond memories sustain you during this difficult period. All the best,
Jody Curran (Brookline Schools)

As a friend of Cecelia’s son Bill for over 20 years, I have heard many descriptive stories about his mother from him. It is obvious that Bill and his family all had a close relationship with his mother. It is further obvious that Bill loved his mother very much, and developed his sense of family and friendship from his mother’s mentoring and advice. To Bill, his father, his brothers, and his sisters: I had the pleasure of meeting Cecelia in past years, and she was a very nice lady. I hope your wife and mother rests in peace, and I hope Bill is consoled in the fact that I know his mother was very proud of him, and loved him very much.

On August 29, 1959 Cecelia and I exchanged wedding vows, then walked down the aisle of St. Gregory’s Church in Dorchester and into the world as Mr.& Mrs. Bill McCarthy. This morning, 54 years later, Cecelia and I will again go down the center aisle as we take Cecelia to her final resting place. Within those 5+ decades of married life many wonderful events occurred. Six children were born to us and in later years, nine grandchildren were welcomed into our family.
As a mother, her children became her life. She was your most ardent and strongest supporter. Your joys, successes, achievements, and accomplishments brought a smile to her face and joy to her heart. Conversely, your disappointments, failures, hurts caused her sorrow. She was your #1 advocate. In her mind, as children you could do no wrong. As parents, Cecelia held tightly onto her role as “good cop” while I was designated to the role of “bad cop”. During the spring of 2012, while inpatient at the Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge, a recollection from 40 years ago crystalized Cecelia’s motherly philosophy. We talked about the day a new 1972 Chevrolet 9-passenger station wagon arrived, we celebrated by going to dinner at McDonalds. The usual fare was ordered including two milk shakes. Within, what seemed to be a millisecond, the blame-game began. “It’s your fault—no it’s your fault, as both milk shakes flowed into the new carpeting of the ‘72 Chevy. Cecelia with her calm, quiet demeanor began cleaning up the spill while I carried on about carelessness. In our reflection of that event, last year, Cecelia calmly told me that the spill was all my fault. She said children have accidents, children often spill drinks and in spite of knowing this I bought the milk shakes, therefore it was my fault. Many have heard me refer to Cecelia as “Mother Superior” and to myself as “Father Inferior”, now you know why.
Cecelia held a Massachusetts license of a Registered Nurse working as an operating room nurse at the Carney Hospital in Dorchester. With the birth of our children, her full attention and devotion was given to family. The raising of our children was her primary focus. Our grandchildren know that Grammy loved each and every one of you just for being you. During the past days you described Grammy as kind, caring, happy, strong, wonderful, beautiful, loving, motherly, a fighter, supportive, courageous, very sick, smart, gentle. Since you were born, our shopping lists have changed. Now before leaving for the supermamrket, we check the freezer for the ice cream, popsicles, creamsicles, freeze pops, Italian ice, and above all don’t forget Oreo cookies. On our fireplace there is a plaque that reads “Grandmas house—children spoiled while you wait”.
Two years ago we joined with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, an organization involved in improving the quality of life for patients ill with ovarian cancer. Our children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law and sons-in-law founded “Grammy’s Gang” and through the generosity of many friends and colleagues we have raised almost $14,000.00 for this Coalition.
Cecelia had a very strong Catholic faith. She carried several pairs of rosary beads and prayer cards in her pocketbook. For many years she attended daily Mass during Lent. Times when our parents would be in the Carney Hospital Emergency Room, Cecelia would disappear and be found in another cubicle talking to a patient she did not know and when she left, she would leave a pair of her rosary beads or a prayer card. Once when I questioned her reason for doing so, she responded that in an emergency room situation everyone needs a prayer and a friend. That was classic Cecelia!
My marriage to Cecelia can be summed up in a song written and recorded by Don Williams who set into words far better than I could what Cecelia meant to me:

You placed gold on my finger
you brought love like I’d never known
you gave life to our children
and to me a reason to go on
When I needed hope and inspiration
your always strong when I’m tired and weak
I could search the whole world over
but you’d still be everything that I need
You’re my bread when I’m hungry
you’re my shelter from the troubled wind
you’re my anchor in life’s ocean
but most of all you’re my best friend.

Billy and family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your sweet mother. grandmother and Mr. McCarthy, your dearest wife. What a great lady, as I remember from my youth growing up in the Boston area. Her kindness and compassion was always readily present. An amazing soul, who I have every confidence is now watching over each and every one of you from above, and you still carry her in your hearts.
Jack Kirby
Los Angeles, CA

Bill and Family,

Cecelia was a wonderful sister in law who will sorely be missed. She was always good to lend a hand or ear. I remember she loved going to the Hospital to give the patients Rosary beads. She loved spending time with family and although I lived so far away she was always in my prayers. Until we all meet again in heaven, Love Betty McLaughlin

Billy,

I was sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. I will remember her in my prayers.

Billy, I heard of your Mom’s passing and I wanted to express my condolences. I still remember your thoughtful card you sent me over seven years ago after my own passed away. You have always been such a quality man. Your mother raised you right. It sounds trite but there is so much truth in taking comfort in the memories you shared and the impact she had on your life.

Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

Paul

Billy,

I’m sorry to hear of your mom’s recent passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

David

Dear The McCarthy Family:

Bill, Billy Neil, Kevin, Sheil Maureen the grandchildren and all that loved Mrs. McCarthy. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.I loved Mrs. McCarthy and will miss her dearly. She was a power of example to me.
She will be greatly missed.

To the McCarthy Family:

I am greatly sorry for your loss. Mrs. McCarthy was a wonderful person and will will be ggreatly missed

Dear Billy,

I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Even though I never met her, I feel as though I knew her from all of the wonderful things that I have heard of her. I hust lost my Dad and both grandparents so I somewhat know how you and your family feel’

Dear Bill and family,
George and I were so sorry to hear of Cecelia passing. She was a great neighbor. I think of all the cookouts we had in your yard. It seemed it was someone’s birthday every week. A good time was had
by all. We think of her often. She put up a great fight and she lived life to the fullest. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Louise and George

Dear McCarthy family,

Our sincerest sympathies for you all. Cecelia was an amazing woman, and we are so thankful, blessed, and happy to have had the chance to get to know her. I know that this has been a difficult time for all of you, so I’d like to share one of my favorite excerpts from a poem that helps me in times like these- I hope that you find it as helpful and healing as well:

“But Not Forgotten”

I think, no matter where you stray,
That I shall go with you a way.
Though you may wander sweeter lands,
You will not soon forget my hands,
Nor yet the way I held my head,
Nor all the tremulous things I said.
You still will see me, small and white
And smiling, in the secret night,
And feel my arms about you when
The day comes fluttering back again.
I think, no matter where you be,
You’ll hold me in your memory
And keep my image, there without me,
By telling later loves about me.
-Dorothy Parker

We are here for you all if you need anything. Thoughts, prayers, and hugs for your family.

With love,
Jeff & Lindsay

Mary and family
I am so sorry for the loss if your mom. She was a wonderful woman. Know that she is watching over you all. This is one if the most difficult times you and your family will go through, just remember all the good times. Hang in there
Love
Julie godfrey

Mr. McCarthy,
I am sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is so difficult. I came across this poem and it still helps me get through the difficult days.
Remember Me

Remember me when flowers bloom
early on the spring
Remember me on sunny days
In the fun that summer brings.

Remember me in the fall
as you walk through leaves of gold
and in the winter time remember me
in the stories that are told.

But most all all remember
Each day, right from the start
I will be forever near
for I live within your heart
(by Judith Karen Bulock)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
J.

Mary and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. No words can express how sorry I am. Knowing you and your family , she must have been a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She will always be with all of you. Remember all the love . Xo
Love,
Michelle &
The Garcia Family

Mr. McCarthy & Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. We have known Mrs. McCarthy for many years and she will be remembered in our hearts forever. She was such a strong and amazing woman and she fought hard for so long. She will truly be missed. My sympathy goes out to all of you. I can’t even imagine how difficult this has been for all of you. I know she is at peace and will continue to watch over all of you from Heaven.
With our Deepest Sympathy,
Judi & John Hosang & family

Billy,

I’m so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Elaine

Mr. McCarthy

You had a blessed life with your wife….a rare and wonderful thing! Your wonderful memories will carry you through for memories are a blessed thing. From your blessed union, you produced a blessed family and they too, shall help carry you through. Lean on them at times you feel the need. You will be in our thoughts and prayers to help heal you through this very difficult time.
With deepest condolences.
Dyanne & Jerry Gardiner

Dear Bill, Mary, Paul & Family,

May God guide you and strengthen you every day as you hold the memories of lovely Cecilia close to your heart. She has given you all the gift of love in her spirit, faith and smile. Greet every day with renewed inspiration and remember to pass on her strength to all of your beautiful children & grandchildren, for they will look to you for guidance and direction as they mirror the blessed life she lived.

Our sincere sympathy,
The Talarico Family