Dolores Elizabeth McCarthy

Dolores Elizabeth McCarthy, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Dolores was born and raised in Jersey City, she lived throughout the state before retiring to Toms River 25 years ago.

Dolores graduated St. Joseph Orphanage, Jersey City, St. Michael High School, Jersey City, Seton Hall University earning her B.S. and MA, she later attended Catholic University and Jersey City State College achieving her Masters Plus 30.

Dolores served the Lord in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace of Newark, the Community that raised Dolores and her siblings when their mom died young. She left the Community in 1973 to enter the public school system, ending her career at Wilson School, West Caldwell, where they planted a tree in her honor.

Dolores loved nature and animals, often stopping her car to rescue a dog or cat. She incorporated the metamorphosis of the monarch butterfly into her curriculum. Students followed the evolution from tiny eggs to the majestic butterfly. Today family and friends continue this tradition. Her philosophy to the students was: take off and fly, to learn and risk to become more, to appreciate life like a butterfly.

Dolores was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary (Flannelly), brothers, Jack (Jeanne), Jimmy (Ceil), Joe (Joan), Roy and Kenneth (Ida), sisters Ethel Spiewak, Anne Blakeslee, MaryJane Kurdewan, their angel Regina and her devoted aunts Anna and Agnes Flannelly. Dolores was the last of her siblings and she was a guiding light of her family.

She is survived by and was inspirational to her many loving nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews. As a teacher Dolores leaves behind countless students and teachers who she considered her extended family.

We thank Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Dolores's accomplished cardiologist who became a great friend. Dr. Gupta said Dolores's demeanor and faith reminded him of Mother Teresa, whom he met, such a tribute.

A visitation for Dolores will be held Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River, NJ 08755. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 130 St Maximilian Ln, Toms River, NJ 08757. Interment will follow to Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers donations in Dolores's name can be made to either the ASPCA by visiting www.aspca.org or to the Charity of your choice.