Patricia Gail McCarthy

Patricia Gail McCarthy, known to many as “Gail,” passed peacefully toward her journey to heaven on April 28, 2026, at the age of 87. Gail was born on August 12, 1938, in Elizabeth, NJ, the daughter of the late Helen and Edward Flannery.

The family later moved to Cranford, NJ, where Gail graduated from St. Michaels Grammar School in 1956. With a quiet determination and a steady sense of purpose, she earned a scholarship to St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1959. In 1960, she married John McCarthy, her classmate since 3rd grade, and together they shared 65 years of marriage.

They relocated to Westfield, NJ, where their three children were born and raised, and where Gail balanced family life with part-time work in various nursing positions. She brought the same dedication to her community that she brought to her home—while her children were in elementary school, she held every position in the P.T.A. She was also an active member of the Westfield Service League, and the family raised six puppies for The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ.

Gail and John were proprietors of Terrils Office Supply in downtown Westfield for many years, as well as Boise’s Stationery in Plainfield. During their years in Westfield, they were parishioners of St. Helen's Parish, where Gail served on the Parish Council and as a Eucharistic Minister. The family later relocated to Mountainside, NJ, then Scotch Plains, NJ, before settling in Rossmoor Adult Community in Monroe Township, NJ. That move required Gail to resign from The Center of Hospice, a role she thoroughly enjoyed; at her retirement breakfast, she was presented with the Angel of Hospice Award, a recognition that was deeply precious to her.

Never one to sit idle, Gail found joy in simple pleasures and spirited favorites alike: poker, The Golden Girls, gardening, and walking at least three miles almost daily. She also loved fast cars and loud big band (swing) music—“Turn Up The Bass!” as she would say. Heaven will rock.

She is predeceased by her sister, Barbara Lynn Duffy.

Gail is survived by her loving husband, John McCarthy; two sons, John and Robert McCarthy; her daughter, Trish Foti (Philip); five grandchildren, Shannon Potts (Greg), John Foti (Jaclyn), Patrick Foti (Kacey), Sean McCarthy and Cole McCarthy; six great grandchildren, Shaylee Rae, Charli and McKinley, Jack, Luke and Max; one sister, Mary Jane Gaiser (Richard); a brother-in-law, Brian Duffy; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Aycock-Riverside Funeral Home, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia's name to Trust Bridge: https://trustbridge.com/foundation/ways-to-give/memorial-giving/