May 20, 1932 - July 30, 2023
She brought love and joy to her family and all who knew her
Our outgoing, caring, funny and adventurous mom passed away on July 30, 2023, in her 92nd year at the Amica Little Lake Retirement Home in Barrie.
After days of round the clock vigils, lots of talking about people from her past and what’s to come, she chose to slip away quietly surrounded by her boisterous family, reminiscent of the more than six decades of get togethers that she hosted at the family home on Granville Street.
Mom was born in May of 1932 in Englehart, Ontario. She was the second of five children born to Rae and Donald Fraser. She is predeceased by her husband Francis “Pat” McCarthy, her parents, sister Edna, and brother Arthur (Carmen). She will be lovingly remembered by her surviving sisters, Jean Wallace (Fred and Richard) and Joan Lowery (Phil), and her children Davis Mitchell (Ross), Laurie McCarthy (Keith Wice) and Lisa McCarthy-Tamblyn (Brian).
One of the great joys of Mom’s life was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is cherished by Eryn (Rich), Amy (Jeff), Stephanie (Jon), Evan T (Roberta), Marissa and Evan M (Rebecca). Loved by her great grandchildren – Kaleb, Taya (Bryn), Sofi, Jackson, Ellie, Kaia, Aslan and Elizabella. She was also greatly loved and will be missed by her many (34) Fraser and McCarthy nieces and nephews.
As a 19-year-old, Mom elected to travel alone to stay with relatives for a year in Braemar, Scotland. It was quite an adjustment for the young woman from Englehart who had never traveled anywhere but Northern Ontario. In typical Mom fashion she loved every moment of the adventure, and enjoyed regular sightings of the Royal Family who spent their summers at nearby Balmoral Castle.
Mom and Dad married in 1953 and moved to Barrie. In 1958 they purchased their home on Granville Street in Allandale. It was here that Mom would raise her family. This address became their community with Shear Park on one end of the street, and King Edward Elementary School and St. George’s Church at the other end, with many great neighbours in between. This warm home, full of Mom’s hospitality, became a hub for gatherings, birthday parties, BBQ’s, impromptu games and plays, and Sunday night dinners.
Mom had a number of careers over the years, but she was most proud of being a co-founder (with her dear friend, Shirley Lightfoot) of the Wednesday Night Club, a social mainstay for local individuals with intellectual disabilities. Mom would enlist her daughters as volunteers at this weekly event to help with the evening’s entertainment. This experience profoundly shaped all three girls’ values for a lifetime. With her innate desire to help others, Mom also opened two successful not-for-profit group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities, with her partner Don French. And finally, working part-time into her 80’s at Burnetts and Struth Scottish Regalia store in Barrie, left us all in awe of her work ethic while developing a very special new social network that remains today. Mom was very proud of her work there, coming full circle with her interest in all things Scottish.
Mom was interested in all aspects of life. She loved sailing and co-owned a sailboat with daughter Davis, enjoying long trips on Georgian Bay, in particular. She also loved to travel, and over the years visited
numerous European countries (but Scotland always remained her favourite!). She was a world-class baker, and her lemon curd filling appeared on a magazine cover and seemingly in the homes of everyone who knew her! Her main love however was her flourishing family. She was always the greatest supporter at every recital, game, competition, theatrical play and award ceremonies that the family was involved in. She even sewed the official Central Collegiate banner – “Go Central Go”!
Mom was a very spiritual person, and attended St. George’s Anglican Church for over 60 years. It is here that a funeral service to celebrate Mom’s life will be held on Tuesday August 8th at 12:00 pm. A visitation at 11:00 am will precede the service. If desired, donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Barrie Food Bank or Terry Fox Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.
We would like to thank Amica for the wonderful care and support for mom and her family at this time. A special thank you to Dr. David Boushy, as well. Everyone went above and beyond, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
To leave a message of condolence or make a donation, please visit the
Steven R. Bridge Funeral Home website www.bridgefuneralhome.com