McCARTHY, CAROL MAE of Commerce Twp., passed away on December 28, 2021 at 91 years of age. Carol was born April 19, 1930 in Portage Entry, Michigan in the same family house as her father, to parents Waino J. and Thelma Koski (nee Saari); beloved daughter to stepdad Oliver Huhta after her father passed; beloved wife of the late Joseph McCarthy for 20 wonderful years; cherished mother of the late Sheryl (Tom) Hartley and John (Cindy Hill) Reed; proud grandmother of Tom Jr (Lindsay) Hartley and Chris (Lana) Hartley and great grandmother of five; preceded in death by her two sisters and one brother. Carol was raised in a hardworking and traditional Finnish family in a small fishing community on the Keweenaw peninsula and embodied the Finnish concept of Sisu, tenacity of purpose. With over a dozen aunts and uncles and many more cousins, she was surrounded by a large and supportive extended family that helped her family get through the hard times after her father passed. Her sense of duty to family was exceptionally strong and she passed that on to her own children and grandchildren.

After high school Carol left the Upper Peninsula for Detroit. She started her career at Michigan Bell as a typist, eventually becoming a manager, retiring in 1983. Although homesick at first, she always eagerly awaited holidays and vacations when she could return to the U.P. to be with her parents. That feeling prevailed up to the time they died. She eventually met the love of her life Joseph and they both enjoyed dining, dancing, and spending time in their condo in Daytona Beach. Blessed with an infectious laugh, a winning smile and a sociable personality, she enlivened and brightened family events and gatherings with friends.

Carol was a wonderful mother who was self-sufficient and made the best with what she had. In her free time, she excelled at crafts, sewing, gardening and volunteering. She was a woman of tremendous faith as a member of Trinity Lutheran in Florida and later Community Presbyterian Church in Michigan. She was active in the Lutheran Women's Auxiliary, supporting pre-school education and later provided lay counseling. Carol's love for family, friends and adventures will be deeply missed by those who knew her.

Her family give special thanks to her circle of friends at Westlake Health Campus and Open Arms Hospice, especially in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).

A memorial service will be held later.

Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago IL 60601
Web: http://www.alz.org