Joan Carrol McCarthy

Joan grew up in Ludlow, Kentucky, during the Great Depression and World War II. An excellent student, she skipped first grade and graduated from Ludlow High School at age 16. She played saxophone in the marching band and was active in school activities. As a teenager, she worked at Mrs. Thomas’s Candy Store in Cincinnati, where she learned to identify the filling of chocolate candy just by the pattern on top — something she loved to show off.

Joan attended Eastern Kentucky University from 1947 to 1949. While there, she met Robert Patrick McCarthy III (Mac) playing pinochle at the Student Union. They were married on September 2, 1950, at Holy Trinity Church in St. Matthews, Kentucky.

Joan and Mac first lived in Louisville before moving to Lyndon, Kentucky, where their three children were born. During the early years of their marriage, Joan worked in accounting at American Tobacco Company.

In 1959, the family moved to Prairie Village, Kansas, and soon settled in Overland Park. They were founding members of Curé of Ars Church in Leawood, where they formed many lifelong friendships. In 1976, they moved to Leawood South and were again founding members, this time of The Church of the Nativity, where Joan remained a devoted parishioner for the rest of her life.

Beginning in 1968, Joan worked for H&R Block for 32 years. She started as a tax preparer, became office manager at the Metcalf South location, and later served as manager of the Executive Tax Service. Her career was instrumental in financing her children’s education, which was deeply important to both Joan and Mac. All three of their children and all five grandchildren earned advanced degrees.

In 2013, after more than 60 years of marriage, Mac passed away. In 2017, Joan began a new chapter when she moved to Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community in Overland Park, where she remained active and closely connected with friends. Throughout her life, she faced three separate battles with breast cancer.

Joan enjoyed traveling, including trips to Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, and Rome, where in 1999 she saw Pope John Paul II celebrate Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. She was proud of her long line of American ancestors and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A longtime, avid fan of University of Kansas basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs, she also enjoyed horse racing, bridge, going to the casino ("casina"), and meeting friends for happy hour. Family gatherings — especially the McSummit reunion held every four years — meant a great deal to her.

Far and away the major focus of Joan and Mac’s lives — and what Joan was most proud of — was the family they raised. She is survived by her three children: James T. (Mary K.) McCarthy; Robert P. (Ellen J.) McCarthy IV; and Pamela Ann (Steven P.) McGurren. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: J. Timothy (Jane) McCarthy; John P. (Lindsay) McCarthy; Kathleen A.M. (Corey) Fruin; Daniel P. McGurren (fiancée Holly Evey); and Kelly A. (Jonathan) Mosher; and six great-grandchildren: Emma I. McCarthy; James R.P. McCarthy; Reagan C. McCarthy; J. Dylan McCarthy; Maren R. McCarthy; and Kelley P. McCarthy, with one more expected soon.

Her family extends heartfelt thanks to her many friends for their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, the family asks that you have Joan’s favorite drink — a bourbon and water — and remember the inquisitive, steadfast, loyal, resilient, upbeat, thoughtful, and endearing person that she was.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, at The Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kansas. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will then take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas, where Joan will be laid to rest alongside Mac.