Maureen Ann McCarthy

Waltham - Maureen Ann McCarthy died peacefully at her home in Waltham on Friday, March 11, 2011. She was 63 years old. She was the daughter of the late John W. and Dorothy A. McCarthy and a sister of the late John and Kevin McCarthy.

She is survived by her sister Nancy Morakis and her husband, John, of Manchester, New Hampshire; her niece Alicia Morakis; her nephew Connor McCarthy; the extended McCarthy clan located in the Boston area as well as her closest friends Margy Dowzer of North Yarmouth, Maine, Betsy Olofson and her husband, Eric, of Waltham and Christine Kindred of Brookline.

Ms. McCarthy was born at Phillips House in Boston on March 11th 1948 and grew up in Waltham. She attended Waltham public schools and left just prior to graduation to travel the country. She was a unique individual who lived life boldly. Still in her teens she hitched-hiked across America with friends to experience the San Fransico hippy scene. She later completed her G.E.D. with the highest mark the examiner had ever seen and he was impressed with her knowledge of African American history. She was an avid pet lover and had numerous animals throughout her life.

Maureen was employed in various positions throughout her life, a printer for McGraw Hill Publishing House in Boston, a buyer for the former Bread and Circus Supermarket and in the 1970’s enrolled in the Non-Traditional Occupations for Women job training at the Boston YMCA. She then began work at the Boston and Maine Railroad where she worked for almost 10 years as a carman.

Ms. McCarthy suffered in later years from a variety of illnesses, traumas and injuries but was able to deal with these issues with humor and sharp wit.

Family and friends will honor and remember Maureen’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday evening, March 17th, from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by her funeral service at 8 p.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Cambridge Women’s Center, 46 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – www.aspca.org