Charter member of Lynnfield’s METCO program

Published in the September 27, 2017 edition

LYNNFIELD — Rosemary T. (McHugh) Carey, 84, of Simsbury, CT. and a former Lynnfield resident died Sunday, September 17, 2017 at her residence.

Rosemary was born in Peabody on July 16, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Thomas F. and Ruth E. (Connelly) McHugh.

Rosemary was the beloved wife of the late Norbert K. Carey. She was the loving mother of Elaine Leard and her husband John of Simsbury, Connecticut, Kathleen C. Coale and her husband James of Lexington, Virginia, Norbert K. Carey, Jr. of Wakefield, and Jennifer A. Allard and her husband Fred of Belmont. She was the sister of the late Ruth E. Bruno. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Rosemary graduated from Salem Teachers College (now Salem State University) in 1954 with a degree in Education, and was president of her senior class. Norby and Rosemary married in Peabody on June 25, 1955 and lived in Marblehead and Peabody for several years before moving to Lynnfield, where they lived together for over 35 years until Norby’s death in 2000. She remained in Lynnfield, last residing in Essex Village until moving to Connecticut this past June to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

While living in Lynnfield and raising her four children, Rosemary was actively involved with the PTA, (serving as a president), the Foreign Student Exchange Program, and was a charter member of the Lynnfield’s Metropolitan Council on Educational Opportunities (METCO) Program. Many of her lifelong friendships were made through her involvement with the Village Garden Club and the Lynnfield Couples Club. Her friendships were very important to her as expressed by one of her grandchildren who said, “Nana really came alive when surrounded by people”. She loved nothing more than to be with her children and grandchildren and to attend their many activities, and treasured those precious times when the entire family could be together. She was a wonderful mom and grandmother with a terrific sense of humor. She will be sorely missed.

Rosemary will also be remembered for her love for her dogs, and attending New England Patriots games where many fond memories were made, as she and Norby were season ticket holders dating back to the opening of Schaefer Stadium in 1971.

A private funeral mass will be held at St. Maria Goretti Church where she most recently served as a Eucharistic Minister and was involved in numerous activities such the Interfaith Council (representing St. Maria Goretti), the CCD Program, and the Alter Committee – often serving in leadership roles.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: McLean Home Care and Hospice, McLean Development, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070 or to Cure SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) 925 Busse Rd., Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007.

Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.