Jeannette Mccarthy

Jeannette Marguerite McCarthy née Toombs, known to her loved ones as “Jenny”, passed away peacefully at her home in Halifax, Massachusetts, on Monday, October 17 ^th , 2022, after a brave battle with cancer. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 23 ^rd , 1960, the cherished daughter of Virginia Anne Bryan and Robert Edward Toombs, Sr. Jenny was raised in Dorchester and Randolph, Massachusetts, and was the seventh of nine children.

She married her soulmate, Thomas A. McCarthy, on May 11 ^th 1979 in Abington, Massachusetts. They were happily married for 43 years at the time of her death. She meant everything to him. She was his best friend, his confidant, his “go to girl”, and the center of his world. She was his person, and he was hers, “always and forever”.

Jenny received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Massasoit Community College. She was a devoted teacher for over 33 years before retiring in 2015 due to health reasons. She was her happiest when surrounded by children. Miss Jenny, as her students called her, was a passionate and loving educator, who was proud to be entrusted with her students, and treated them as her own. She was also a dedicated caretaker to her mother and aunts, a role she held close to her heart.

In her spare time, Jenny enjoyed spending time with her husband and their large family, singing and listening to music, dancing, playing games, road trips to the Cape with her husband, and making crafts. She was a compassionate, kind, sentimental, tough, strong, and thoughtful person who cared immensely, loved deeply, and whose faith was strong and unwavering. She was extremely generous to all.

Although Jenny did not have biological children of her own, she was the second mother to many, including her beloved nieces and nephews, who fondly remember her as their silly, outgoing, creative, goofy, and loving Aunty Jenny who never missed an important life event. At family parties, Aunty Jenny could be found playing with the kiddos and giving them an endless supply of candy. She loved holidays and always found ways to make them extra special for both the children in her own family and for her dear students.

Jenny is survived by her husband of 43 years and the love of her life, Thomas A. McCarthy, of Halifax, Massachusetts; her siblings and their spouses, Judith and Steven Closs; Jacquie and David Gardikis; Ralph and Shirley Toombs; Jill and Robert Hart; Robert “Bobby” Edward Toombs, Jr. and Sharon Toombs; Rick Toombs; and Jodie Bryan; her uncle Henry Bryan and his wife, Anna Marie Bryan; her many nieces and nephews who adored their “Aunty Jenny” (you may have loved us first, but we love you more); her childhood best friend, Nancy Tewksbury and her children; Godchildren; brothers and sisters in-law, cousins and friends, all of whom loved her beyond measure.

Jenny was predeceased by her parents, Virginia Anne Bryan and Robert Edward Toombs, Sr.; her “wicked pissah sistah”, Joy Ellen (Toombs) Barclay; her step-father, William Curtis Cormier; her treasured aunties, Eleanor Mertie Bryan and Phyllis May (Bryan) Caton; her maternal grandparents, Ralph Burgess Bryan and Marguerite Florence Ethel (Lebel) DeGrange; and her paternal grandparents, George Washington Toombs and Gertrude Mary (Hoar) Herweck.

Interment will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery on Connery Avenue in Bourne, Massachusetts, at 11:00a.m. on Friday, November 18 ^th , 2022.

Her memorial service will be held the following day at Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, at 4321 North Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, on November 19 ^th , 2022, at 11:00a.m.

A Celebration of Life to follow at Henrich Hall at 33 Redwood Drive in Halifax, Massachusetts, from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. All are welcome.

Flowers may be sent to Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, 4321 North Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, by 4p.m. November 18 ^th , 2022.