BELFAST – Barbara Colebrooke McCarthy died Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Waldo County General Hospital. Her son was with her when she died, and she had seen many family members in the weeks leading up to her death. Barbara was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Burlington, Vt., and raised by Ralph and Marion Hutchins in North Andover, Mass.
She attended Katherine Gibbs School, Boston, and in 1947 she married Daniel J. McCarthy upon his return from World War II. She worked as a secretary, raised two children and was very involved in scouting in North Andover, Mass. Her younger son, Luke Stone McCarthy, was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare medical condition of which little was known at the time. Under Barbara’s devoted care, Luke lived for 17 years. Barbara’s compassion for her son was an inspiration to others. Dan and Barbara in 1986 moved to Maine, where she volunteered for Maine Maritime Museum and numerous other charitable organizations. Barbara made many friends wherever she lived. After nearly 60 years of marriage, Barbara continued to live on her own following her husband’s death. In 2010 she moved into assisted living at Tall Pines, Belfast. Barbara loved to ski, swim, travel, read and listen to music, especially Mozart. She was able to enjoy many of these activities until just weeks before her death.
Barbara was predeceased by her mother, Marion Hutchins; stepfather, Ralph E. Hutchins; her sister, Virginia Lebel; her husband, Daniel J. McCarthy; and son, Luke S. McCarthy. She is survived by her son, Daniel C. McCarthy and his wife, Constance J. McCarthy, of Belfast; a grandson, Jacob E. McCarthy and his wife, Anna K. Fiedler, of Unity; a granddaughter, Robin C. McCarthy of Belfast; a great-granddaughter, Margaret E. McCarthy of Unity; a brother, Charles K. Hutchins and his wife, Frances Hutchins, of Candia, N.H.; several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Dec. 29 service is planned for 1 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Brunswick. A smaller service, yet unscheduled, at the Residence at Tall Pines will also be held. Donations may be made to the Williams Syndrome Association, www.williams-syndrome.org, or the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers. Barbara will be buried with her husband and son in Lawrence, Mass. Please direct correspondence to dcmccarthyfamily@gmail.com.
Barbara Colebrooke McCarthy
