Active in the Lynnfield community, enjoyed Cape shopping
Published July 8, 2020
LYNNFIELD — Janice A. (Russell) McCarthy, 86, of Lynnfield, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2020 in her home with her family after a courageous bout with cancer.
Born in Dracut in 1934 to Samuel and Hilda Russell, she attended Dracut Public schools and went on to attend Kathleen Dell secretarial school in Boston. She worked at Simmons College and later at Millipore Corporation in Bedford for many years. She also worked at the Marshalls/TJX Distribution Center in Woburn.
Janice was the beloved wife to George R. “Mac” McCarthy, a retired Massachusetts State Police Detective, and they have lived in Lynnfield since 1960. They were to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary last November.
She was the loving, sweet mother to Diane Carey and her husband Bruce of Andover, Dawn of Lynnfield; and George Jr. and his wife Nancy of Lynnfield.
She was blessed with four grandchildren: Brittany Carey (Brian St. Marie), Shaylyn Carey, Lauren McCarthy and Christopher McCarthy. She recently met her beautiful great-granddaughter Theresa Andrea.
She is survived by her dear brother Sam Russell and his wife Anne of Newcastle, Maine; and a sister-in-law, Anna McCarthy, of Revere. Many nieces, nephews and dear friends, especially, Brenda LaConti, and Lora Celata, both of Lynnfield, survive Janice.
Janice was active in the Lynnfield Community for many years. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a member of the Lynnfield Couples Club. She enjoyed Lynnfield’s Concerts on the Common every summer. Her hobbies included shopping trips down the Cape, gardening and she was an excellent seamstress and cook. She always enjoyed hosting family holidays with a warm heart and a big welcome to all.
She enjoyed raising many Irish Setters with her husband, Mac, and they had six in total: Shaun, Michael, Andrew, Patrick, Brady and Kellan. Janice leaves behind her loyal English Setter, Bailey.
Visitation for Janice was held on Monday, July 6 at the McDonald Funeral home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield. A funeral Mass was held at St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield on Tuesday, July 7. Interment took place at Forest Hill Cemetery in Lynnfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Janice’s memory may be made to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA, 01844 (mspca.org), or to a charity of your choice.
