Jean A. McCarthy

LOWELL - Jean A. McCarthy, 94, a long time resident of the
Belvidere section of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Sunday,
February 28, 2021, in the home of her beloved sister Patricia
Quigley, in the presence of her loving family. She was the adored
Aunt and life-long inspiration to two generations of McCarthys and
Quigleys.
Born in Lowell on March 9, 1926, Jean was the daughter of the
late John T. and Dorothy (Devine) McCarthy. She attended local
schools and was a parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Church.
She graduated from St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in 1946,
and worked as a Registered Nurse in a career spanning many
decades, from her early years in Boston hospitals as a surgical
scrub nurse (Ted Williams being one of her more famous patients)
until a final part-time position at the Community Family
Alzheimers Day Health Center in Lowell. Honored in July of 2017 by
the Hellenic American Academy in Lowell as a "community hero",
Jean retired later that year at the age of 91 as the oldest
practicing nurse in New England. She continued to be a reliable
presence working at the polls every election day, assisting her
neighbors and fellow citizens until 2020.
Jean's life has been one of devotion and generosity to her mother,
her siblings, her 12 nieces and nephews, her many grandnieces and
grandnephews, and her many close friends. From providing support
through difficult times to bringing the fun and adventure wherever
she showed up, Jean was always there for her family and friends,
and that love and devotion has been returned in kind.
Jean is survived by her sister Patricia, and her 12 nieces and
nephews: John McCarthy and his wife Mary Lou; Kathleen Bauer and
her husband Beat; Joseph Quigley and his wife Joka; Stephen
McCarthy and his wife Suzanne; David Quigley and his wife Evelyn;
Paul McCarthy and his wife Joan; Gerald Quigley and his wife Rose;
Peter McCarthy; Ellen Quigley; Mary Janet McCarthy and her husband
Rob Costanzo; Daniel McCarthy and his wife Kara; and JoAnne
McCarthy. She is survived as well by 29 grandnieces and nephews,
and several great grandnephews and nieces.
Jean also leaves behind her a life filled with close friendships,
in particular David and Mary (Cassidy) Conway and their entire
family, her wonderful friend Nancy Fernald, and group of devoted
neighbors, friends and caregivers led by Elaine Lawler.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Gerald McCarthy,
her brother John McCarthy and her sister-in-law Ann (McShea)
McCarthy, and her brother-in-law James G. Quigley, as well as her
beloved Frank Conway and her much loved grand niece Kelly
(McCarthy) Del Greco.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jean's Life Celebration on Wednesday from 5 until 7 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 11:30 AM in the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow if St. Patrick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to: Covenant
House, 461 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 (covenanthouse.org).