Obituary of Kathleen Ann McCarthy

Kathleen McCarthy passed away quietly at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury on Monday, September 24^th 2018. Born Kathleen Ann Sutton on July 9, 1937 in Queens, New York, Kay was the proud daughter of Irish immigrants, David Sutton and Elizabeth Sutton, nee McGovern, and grew up in Woodside in a spirited home with 2 sisters and 6 brothers. After graduating from Saint Agnes Academic High School, Kay went to work for a time in Manhattan. 

At the age of 18 Kay met Gerry McCarthy - the love of her life and the man she was to share in the joys and challenges of life for 59 years. After they married in 1956, they moved to Prospect where five children quickly followed – Gerry, Maureen, Mary, Kevin and Monica. As the kids got older, she went to work for Prospect Schools where she was employed for 30 years. 

Always interested in the lives and challenges of those she loved, Kay was never out front but was an understated force to be reckoned with. Kay was the sister of war heroes, the stoic wife of a career automotive technician, a loyal and devoted friend, and matriarch to a lively, outgoing and boisterous family. She loved the story and craftsmanship of finely made objects and enjoyed collecting antique baskets, ceramics and linens with Gerry. Kay was an avid reader of mystery and fiction and enjoyed travel to Europe. 

Kay is survived by her five children, 9 grandchildren – Michael and Devon Rudaitis; Sofia, Nico and Isabella Holpin; Collin and Rory McCarthy; Arielle and Brianna McCarthy, and daughters- and son-in-law Barbara, John and Wanda. She will be missed by her brothers-in-law and an extended family of nieces and nephews, who all dearly loved Aunt Kay. Each one had their own special bond with her, and she loved each one of them in her own quiet and unassuming way. Lastly, Kay now joins two of the people she loved most in life – her beloved husband Gerry and her remarkable sister Dotty.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, September 28 at Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Rd, Prospect. Burial will follow at Prospect Cemetery. Calling hours are from 10 am until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Kay’s name to Friends of the Prospect Public Library.