Mrs. Florence J. McCarthy

March 16, 1926 - October 11, 2016

Florence J McCarthy (nee McLaughlin), age 90, of Gibbstown, NJ passed away on Tuesday Oct 11, 2016 at Shady Lane Nursing Home in Clarksboro, NJ after a long battle with dementia. Her family would like to extend its’ gratitude to the staffs of Woodbury Mews and Shady Lane for their compassionate care. She was born in Philadelphia in 1926 and was raised in Lindenwold, NJ, one of six children of the late Hugh McLaughlin and Florence (Hartley) McLaughlin. In 1945 she met Edward McCarthy while he was home on leave from WW2. A whirlwind romance resulted in a May 1946 wedding. Their union lasted 57 loving years before Ed’s death in 2003. Florence was a homemaker, and a kind and loving mother to her nine children. In her youth, she excelled at basketball, routinely the scoring leader at Overbrook High School and later in adult leagues. She loved bowling, was an avid reader, solver of crosswords, and Jeopardy enthusiast. She also loved playing cards; later in life she took up painting and in retirement, traveling with Ed. But most of all, Florence loved spending time on the beach in Sea Isle with family and sister Joan, with whom she enjoyed many memorable summers. She is survived by her children, Michael (Bernice) of Castro Valley, CA, Joan Franz of Paulsboro, Dennis of Williamsburg, VA, Mark (Cindy) of Ferrell, Kevin (Marlene) of Arvada, CO, Edward (DeeAnna) of Richland, WA, Mary (John) Magdin of Gibbstown, Matthew (Phyllis) of Pennsville, Megan (Pat) Adams of Gibbstown, 22 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, Florence is predeceased by her siblings Myrtle, Bernice, Lorraine, Joan, and Hugh, Jr., son-in-law Frank Franz, and daughters-in-law Marjorie and Carol. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Saturday October 15, 2016 in St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. John’s Church, 7th and Beacon Aves., Paulsboro. Relatives and friends may visit with the family after 9 AM Saturday until Mass time. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, Woodbury. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at WWW.ALZFDN.ORG. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.