Rose T. McCarthy

After living for 102 years, our mom, Rose McCarthy, passed away in the early hours of Friday, June 12, 2026, with her much-loved daughters at her bedside and Andy Williams singing in the background. It was probably as perfect as a death could be.

Rose was born in 1923 in Bridgeport, CT. While her early years could be described as Dickensian, they made her the strong and independent woman that she became.

In 1955, Rose married our father, John McCarthy, when she was 32 years old (she was considered to be a spinster in those days!). Their family was made complete with the arrivals of daughters Nancy and Linda. Despite limited financial resources, our parents instilled in us a love of learning and travel. After John died in 1981, Rose continued to drive from CT to visit her daughters and grandchildren, navigating I-95 and traversing the George Washington Bridge when she was in her 80s…(can you imagine?). In 2006, she bravely left the only town she had lived in to begin a new chapter at Ann’s Choice Retirement Community in PA. She developed rich friendships there, and enjoyed living closer to her family.

Rose’s greatest joy was spending time with her growing family. She was thrilled to welcome sons-in-law Charlie and Ron, and even more thrilled with the arrivals of her grandchildren: Daniel, Kimberley, Ryan, and David. She was delighted when they found their wonderful partners: Kristin, Jeff, Amanda, and Bailey, who became equally devoted to Rose. At 95 years old, she became a great-grandmother, affectionately known as "GG", to the first of her five great-grandchildren: Sullivan, Fallon, Piper, Rory, and Quinn. They were her delight and she would light up whenever she spent time with them.

In addition to her beloved John, Rose was predeceased by her parents and sisters: Mildred, Alice, Rita, and Norma.

We take solace in the thought that “What will survive of us is love.” Rose had a great run, was much loved, and will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched.

Relatives and friends and invited to her visitation which will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave, Southampton, PA 18966. Followed by a funeral mass at 12:00 pm. Burial will take place privately on a separate date at St. Michael Cemetery in Stratford, Connecticut.

Rose was always grateful for all that she had and had compassion for those who have less. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to Philabundance at http://www.philabundance.org