Marilyn Marie McCarthy

Marilyn (Heseltine) McCarthy, age 87, formerly of Glen Head, NY, Sandwich, MA, and Cape Coral, FL, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025. Marilyn was born and raised in Andover, MA, and was the loving daughter of Eleanor and Harold Heseltine. She graduated from Framingham State College with a degree in education. In 1962, she married her soulmate, best friend, and devoted husband, Leo, at St. Augustine Church in Andover. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Long Island, NY, where they raised their four children in Glen Head. Marilyn worked in the Rockville Centre, NY, diocesan school system, teaching at Saint Aiden's. After retiring, the McCarthys lived on Cape Cod, MA, and Cape Coral, FL. Leo predeceased Marilyn on December 27, 2024.

Marilyn was the devoted mother of Ellen McCarthy Guerin and Robert of Sandwich, Michael and Christi McCarthy of Crofton, MD, Daniel and Amanda McCarthy of Norfolk, and Kevin and Christine McCarthy of Franklin. Loving grandmother of Connor, Griffin, and Casey Rose Guerin and Devin, Jack, Colin, Brian, Sean, Drew, and Ian McCarthy, and loving sister of Charles Heseltine, Norma Gammon, and the late George Heseltine, faithful cousin, and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn had a remarkable ability to be truly present in the moment. She enjoyed many happy years sailing and traveling, embracing every experience as long as she was beside Leo. For many years, she supported her children and grandchildren by attending their school and college games. She cheered for them and provided encouragement both on and off the field, acting as a lifelong cheerleader and advocate. Her unwavering devotion, love, and support had a significant impact on each of their lives.

Marilyn truly excelled at creating moments of loving togetherness for her family and friends. Always ready and willing to help and host, her home was perpetually open to loved ones. Marilyn and Leo spent many joyful years enjoying summers on Cape Cod and winters in Cape Coral, where family and countless friends cherished sunny days at the pond or pool, boating along the coast, or simply sitting by the water and feeling the breeze. These moments were always filled with Marilyn’s signature love and hospitality.

Marilyn was also deeply passionate about her Catholic faith, setting a wonderful example for her family and many students by living her beliefs. She was consistently involved and dedicated to numerous parish service activities and social events, always striving to make a positive difference. As the saying goes, Marilyn didn’t need words to preach and teach; her everyday actions spoke volumes. She was truly one of a kind.

Visitation will be held at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA on Monday December 29, 2025 from 9-10:30am, A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meeting house Rd., East Sandwich at 11 am, immediately followed by a burial at Sandwich Town Cemetery.