Of East Orleans, MA and Marco Island, FL, formerly of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2018, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Marie was born on January 20, 1932, to the late Carmelo and Rose DeFranzo Fantasia. She was the beloved and devoted wife of her high school sweetheart, Charles E. McCarthy, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. Marie is also survived by her loving children. Daughter, Kathleen Sullivan, and her husband, Richard, of North Truro; her daughter, Karen Toomey, and her husband, Kevin, of Wellesley; her daughter-in-law, Deborah Menich-McCarthy, of Fairfield, CT; her daughter, Maureen Baumgartel, and her husband, Scott, of Westford; her daughter MaryEllen Rice, and her husband, Timothy, of Wellfleet; and her son, Charles McCarthy, and his wife, Deborah, of Hingham. She was predeceased by her son, Kevin McCarthy, and her sister, Joanne Dwyer. She also leaves behind her cherished 16 grandchildren and her eight great grandchildren, who will miss her dearly.

After raising her six children, Marie took on another challenge and worked over ten years for the CEO of Alpha Industries (Skyworks Solutions, Inc.) A role she relished and where she made great friends.

Marie loved to entertain her family on Cape Cod as well as friends on Marco Island where she and Charlie enjoyed playing tennis, going to the theater, taking long walks and just being together. She had a great passion for gardening, painting, cooking, baking, singing, dancing, traveling to Europe, and curling up with a good book. Her greatest joy in life was the love she had for her family, and nothing made her happier than the times she spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Marie was a great friend to many who were lucky enough to know and love her. More importantly, she will be missed for her boundless energy, compassion, generosity, unconditional love and beautiful smile.

A special thank you to the staff at Maplewood at Brewster for the caring and special support they gave to Marie.

A Mass celebrating Marie’s Eternal Life will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Donations in Marie’s memory can be made to either the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, https://alzfdn.org
OR St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate/.