Tara Ann McCarthy

Tara McCarthy, age 58, formerly of Lowell, died peacefully on Thursday, November 14 at NYU Hospital in Mineola, NY, after a hard fought and courageous battle with kidney disease and cancer. Tara passed away surrounded by her loving family and beloved partner, Lisa “Lee” Campaniello with whom she shared a home and life for twenty-five years in the New York area. 

Tara was born and raised in Lowell, MA, the youngest of eight children to her late parents, Paul L. and Virginia H. McCarthy. She resided in Phoenix, AZ for a short time and graduated High School there before returning home to MA.

Tara’s strong work ethic shown throughout in the various administrative and management roles over the years in Mass, AZ and finally New York before her retirement due to illness. 

Tara was greatly admired for her warmth of spirit and generosity to all in need. Her love for family knew no bounds. A life-long collector of Coca-cola memorabilia, Tara loved camping, enjoyed visiting Hampton Beach on any trip home, going to hot air balloon races, and all things Country and Western. In her retirement, she found a new interest in vegetable gardening. Her favorite passion was spending time with her loved ones. She was especially devoted to her Shelti collie, Prince.

Tara is also predeceased by her brothers Paul J. and Edward A. McCarthy, her brother-in-law Albert Brown and nephew Paul Brown.

She leaves behind five siblings, Douglas McCarthy, Susan McCarthy and her partner Michael Fuss, Paula Brown, Alice Moran and her husband James, Colleen (Kelly) Curley and her husband Brian. She was the devoted aunt to Alyssa McCarthy, Erin Waddle, Ellen Lamoreaux, Christopher Desroisers, Jesci Larochelle, Bridget Davis and her husband Rich, Christina Moran, Robert and James McCarthy, Joshua Curley and girlfriend Nathalie Naor and Samantha Curley and fiance Garrett Abbott. She will be sorely missed by so many close cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, especially Trish and Gale Ashe and the Puffer Street cousins.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 5, at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. A Prayer Service will be offered at 7 PM. Donations can be made to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org in her name.