Barbara Ingrid McCarthy
GARDINER – Barbara Ingrid McCarthy of Gardiner, passed away on Oct. 11, 2022, at her home in Gardiner. Born in Worcester, Mass., on Jan. 21, 1942, she was the daughter of Edmond T. McCarthy and Esther I. (Maki) McCarthy.
A lifelong learner, she graduated from the licensed practical nursing program at Worcester Trade High School and went on to practice nursing for 31 years. She was also an EMT for the Sterling, Mass., volunteer fire department. She attended Quinsigamond Community College for many years before entering the Ada Comstock program at Smith College, from which she graduated as a studio art major in 2001.
A seamstress all her life, she went from sewing doll clothes on a treadle-powered Singer, to dance recital costumes for her dancer daughter and her classmates, to wedding gowns when solicited by family or friends.
Vying with sewing, nursing, ongoing education, and raising five children, her world centered in art. Before her art experience at Smith, she had been a member of Art Associates in Oxford, Mass. As a member of the Oxford Women’s Club, she taught painting to children and adults. Since moving to Maine, she has taught drawing and watercolor painting at the University of Maine at Augusta. She also became a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Gardiner, where she recently served three years on the vestry of the church.
Barbara is survived by her siblings Thomas E. McCarthy (Lucille) of Worcester, Mass., Judith Robbins (Jonathan) of Whitefield, and Susan C. McCarthy of Randolph; by her children Michael T. Coakley (Alexandra) of North Andover, Mass., Robin A. Harris (Joseph) of Rutland, Mass., Daniel T. Coakley (Katie) of Anderson, S.C., Erin M. Hardison (John) of New Orleans, La., and Patrick G. Coakley (Jennifer) of Bel Air, Md., eight grandchildren, Griffin Coakley, Morgan Coakley, Jessica Quist, Kyle Quist, Andrew Harris, Michael Harris, Cole Coakley, and Riley Kate Coakley; and six great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Cole, Chase, Avery, Makayla, and Ryleigh. She is also survived by many beloved nephews and nieces; and by lifelong friends Kenny and Patti Boucher of West Boylston, Mass.
There will be a service at Christ Church on the Common, 2 Dresden Ave., Gardiner, at 11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 29 followed by a reception hosted by members of the parish community.
Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the
Parish Discretionary Fund or the
Haiti Rosette School Fund:
Christ Church,
2 Dresden Ave.,
Gardiner, ME 04345,
or a donation to the
Gardiner Public Library
152 Water St.
Gardiner, ME 04345
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