Obituary of Therese Hennessey McCarty

Theresé (Shirley) McCarty, formerly of Scituate and South Boston, died on Saturday, June 7, 2014, peacefully at home. She was the beloved wife of 55 years of the late John F. "Jack" McCarty, Jr.; and daughter of the late Victoria Hennessey, nee Caristi, and Robert Hennessey formerly of South Boston. She was predeceased by her sister, Anne Marie Russell formerly of Harwich, and her special niece, Mary Anne (Honey) Pfaff formerly of Pompano Beach, FL. Theresé is survived by her loving sister, Claire Louise Hennessey of Deerfield Beach, FL and devoted nephews, Rob Stravinsky of Deerfield Beach, FL, Rick and Paul Stravinsky of San Diego, CA and Mark Schwotzer of Scituate. She leaves behind her Goddaughter, Pamela Duffy of Wilmette, Illinois as well as many grandnieces and nephews. Theresé will be sorely missed by all who were graced with her acquaintance, but a special loss is suffered by her life long friends and supporters to the end, including her dear friend, Cindy Quine. Peace to all. Theresé was a Real Lady with a wry wit and a ready soothing word. She was a fan of show tunes and opera, fashion, Italian food, martinis and Siamese cats. She and Jack lived for a time in Greenwich Village before returning to Massachusetts. They were long time members of the Hatherly Country Club. She sold real estate with Jack Conway for 20 years, worked for the Scituate school system and for State Street Bank. After retirement, she pursued her talent for photography in her business, "Scenic Views". Theresé met the challenge of her 1989 Parkinson's disease diagnosis with grace and the assurance of God's love for her. With a smile and steady message of peace, patience and kindness, she was the lead in a team of care partners who were there to help her and ended up themselves being inspired by her optimism, humor, drive, aplomb and style. Her far flung family salutes and thanks them. A special debt is owed to Kathy Simmons for her dedicated service. Other special providers include Anna Strauss, Priscilla Tonner, Anne Williams and Karen Creamer. A memorial funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Holy Family Church, 601 Tremont Street, Duxbury, on Friday, June 20, 2014, at 10:00 AM. Interment services will be private. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008.