MILLINOCKET and AMHERST – Eleanor M. McCarthy, 60, peacefully passed her soul onto heaven in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006, comfortable and happy with her loving family at my home; her daughter, Karen, in Amherst. Eleanor was born May 5, 1946, in Mattawamkeag, the daughter of Maurice and Violet Leach (Moody). At a very young age, Ellie devoted her life to raising her three young children as a single mom, after the early death of her young husband, Wayne, in 1967. As a young widow, alone, she provided for the three loves of her life. She always instilled respect and thankfulness in Kevin, Karen and Wayne. For the last 15 years, Ellie resided in Millinocket, sharing a home with John “Jack” Davis. Jack and Ellie enjoyed each others company and had a lot of fun times together through the years. Jack was incredibly tireless and supportive in Ellie’s journey to the very end. Ellie, my mom, fought her battle with cancer with unbelievable strength and dignity. Through her two and one half-year journey, she always lived in the future, always looking to the future and planning ahead. Even in her last hours of life with us on Earth, Ellie, my mom, had her gathered family laughing and in amazement with her wittiness and spry sense of humor. My mom embraced her destiny with grace and humor, always positive and beautiful. We have lost her strong soul to heaven to enjoy and learn from, as we have here on Earth. I already miss my best friend, my mom. Ellie is survived by her three children, Kevin McCarthy of Brewer, Karen Bridges and her loving and devoted husband, Harold, of Amherst and Wayne E. McCarthy Jr. and incredible wife, Stacy, of Southington, Conn.; her five beautiful grandchildren, Murray and Alee Bridges of Amherst, Rebecca, Kylie and Connor McCarthy of Southington, Conn.; along with her three brothers, LeRoy Leach and his wife and dear friend of a life time, Betty, of Lakeville, Robert Leach and his wife and loving and supportive friend, Carole, of Lincoln, Maurice Leach Jr. and his wife and strong friend, Peggy, of Mattawamkeag; along with many nieces and nephews. Ellie was predeceased by her young husband, Wayne E. McCarthy Sr. of Mattawamkeag in 1967, the son of Hayden B. and Margaret McCarthy of Mattawamkeag; both her parents, Violet and Maurice Leach Sr. of Mattawamkeag; along with her sister, Charlene Nelson of Lincoln. We, Ellie’s children, invite you to celebrate our mother’s life 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, for a graveside celebration as we lay our mother to rest beside her late husband, our dad, Wayne Eugene McCarthy Sr., at the Mattawamkeag Cemetery. Those who wish to make a donation in Ellie’s memory, please donate to MADD, P.O. Box 35, Freeport, ME 04032, to help fight against one of the most destructive and consuming diseases of all, human alcoholism.
ELEANOR M. MCCARTHY
