Ruth E. McCarthy

WORCESTER-Ruth E. Mc Carthy, 89, of Worcester, a retired Worcester Public Schools teacher, died Sunday, May 10, 2015 in UMass Memorial Hospital after a short illness.


She leaves many cousins, including Mary Ellen Mc Carthy of Arlington, Virginia and Eileen M. Mc Carthy of Worcester. She leaves her dear friend Nancy La Flash of Worcester and members of the extended La Flash family with whom she enjoyed many holiday celebrations. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Michael J. and Mary Ann (Callan) Mc Carthy. Her sisters, Rita R. and Dr. A. Marie Mc Carthy predeceased her.


Miss Mc Carthy graduated from South High School and received her undergraduate and master's degrees from Worcester State College, now Worcester State University. She was a beloved teacher for 43 years, who loved teaching and loved all her pupils. At the time of her retirement, Miss Mc Carthy was the senior teacher in the Worcester Public School system having taught for 42 years at the former Ward Street School, Columbus Park School and the former Millbury Street School.


Ruth was a life-long member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Sacred Heart of Jesus-St. Catherine of Sweden Parish. She served as the Sacred Heart Church representative on the vestry of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. She was a director on the board of the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. Ruth was a member of the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts and AARP.


The family would like to thank Doctors Joseph J. Savitt, James O'Shea, Paul C. Sedgwick and their staffs for their exceptional medical care and concern for Ruth. The family also thanks the staff of Independence Health Care for providing care and comfort to Ruth in a variety of settings.


The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from Callahan, Fay and Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. Visitation at the funeral home will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am followed by a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 600 Cambridge St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Sacred Heart-St. Catherine of Sweden Parish.