Maureen Gibbs McCarthy's Obituary
The world lost a wonderful, charismatic, and loving person when Maureen Gibbs McCarthy of Lakewood passed away October 24, 2022.
Maureen was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and was raised in Acushnet, Mass. by parents Charles and Beatrice Gibbs. She graduated from Fairhaven High School and remained life-long friends with many of her classmates, eagerly attending her class reunions. Following high school, Maureen went on to study nursing, graduating from Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. She practiced nursing for nearly 50 years, before retiring from Cascade Regional Blood Services as the Director of Donor Services.
Maureen moved to the Puget Sound area with her husband, Jerome, and growing family in 1967. They lived in Seattle, Issaquah and Tieton before settling down in Lakewood almost 50 years ago. Whenever she’d travel back to Boston for a visit, she’d delight her family when she returned home with luggage filled with coffee syrup and linguiça from “back east.”
Maureen had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. As mother to five energetic children, these were excellent qualities to have – and lucky for her kids, those great attributes, and more, were passed down by her.
The McCarthy home was always full of kids; Maureen’s own kids and all of their friends, too. She was known as a fantastic cook and would hold large gatherings with family and friends
where she would insist everyone eat just a little too much. Her long dining room table was a place anyone lucky enough to be there would feel the love pour from Maureen’s kitchen to the plate in front of them. There, everyone would linger and laugh long after the plates were cleared. Over the years, Maureen, always seated at the head of the table, would listen proudly with a big smile as people told stories – often the same ones – that would get even better and draw bigger laughs each time they were told.
Maureen had a fierce love for her children and eight grandchildren, and she took great joy in their accomplishments. She was also a deeply trusted friend and nurtured many friendships that spanned a lifetime. She was a regular bridge player and also found joy in knitting with her Knit Wits group. Maureen was known for her sense of style and strong vocabulary, the latter reflected in the multiple “Words with Friends” games she had going at any one time. She was also a great human to her faithful chocolate lab, Jones.
Maureen had a quick wit, a kind heart, and was generous beyond measure. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. Her memory will be deeply treasured forever.
Maureen is survived by children Bill (Sara); John (Tammy); Peter (Mary Ann); Jerome “Biss” (Christy); Jane (Tim) and grandchildren Elizabeth, Jack, Katy, Morgan, Cole, Tatum, Reggie, and Archer. Maureen was predeceased by her husband Jerome.
A celebration of life will be held at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club on Tuesday, November 22 at 2:30pm.
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