Obituary of Dorothy Louise McCarthy
Dorothy Louise McCarthy
(nee Wendland)
Age 86, passed away peacefully at The Timbers of Shorewood, under the care of Joliet Area Community Hospice, with her loving family by her side.
Dorothy was born on November 6, 1930 outside of Corpus Christie, Texas, in Robstown, where she lived until 13 years old, helping out on the family farm (picking cotton, no fun!). The family then moved to Harrison, Arkansas, to a 600 acre farm in the bottom of a "holler" at the end of a 16 mile dirt road (no running water or electricity, no fun!). She graduated as Salutatorian of her high school class in 3 years. She had hopes of nursing school, but then met Mac, and as she said "When we met, my friends in Arkansas couldn't believe I had such a handsome man in uniform seeing me, especially a Yankee!" They married in 1949, and were married 66 years. Dorothy was always warm and welcoming to an amazingly varied group of her offspring's' friends, acquaintances, spouses, stepchildren and grand stepchildren, as they came and went through her life. Dorothy and Mac were avid travelers, visiting over 13 countries. They also visited the majority of U.S. states, many of them in a motor home, sharing the adventures with their late friend, cousin, and business partner, Dennis Schneider and his wife Carmen. Back in the day, many Friday and Saturday nights were spent raucously playing cards with long time friends, Bruce and Geri Baxter. Dorothy and Mac loved family gatherings most of all and were a great support in the raising of all of the grandchildren. They truly epitomized living up to the promise of remaining devoted to each other "through good times and bad, in sickness and in health." She also lived long enough to see her oldest grandson become a grandfather - no small feat! Dorothy returned to work in the early 1970's, returned to college in the mid-70's, and became a Licensed Practical Nurse, going on to become the Director of Nursing at Joliet Terrace, a job to which she was totally and completely devoted for many, many years. Shortly after Mac passed away, Dorothy moved to an apartment at The Timbers of Shorewood, with her cat Fuzzy, because "it's no fun being alone!" In the past year and a half, she has had a great time, having meals daily with her good friends Jay Fiday (whom she has known for 67 years), Father Memenas, and her very dear friend, Nick Rousonelos. She especially enjoyed the Friday afternoon Happy Hours there. She will be sorely missed by them all.
Surviving are her six children, Eileen (Art) Hostert (New Lenox, IL) , Tim (Lark) McCarthy (Bernalillo, NM), Peggy (Bill) McCarberg (Poway, CA), Babs (Myron) Lye (Joliet, IL), Pat (Denise) McCarthy (Joliet, IL), and Sheila (Norm) Russum (Shorewood, IL); seven grandchildren, Keith McCarthy, Amy Zimmerman, Eric Hostert, Katy Kolasinski, Andy Yeager, Matt McCarthy, and Mark McCarthy; six great grandchildren, Korey and Jessica McCarthy, Hope and Cameron Zimmerman, Ollie Hostert and Drew Yeager; Kinleigh McCarthy, the only great great grandchild of Dorothy and Mac; her sister, Pat Setien and brother Jim Wendland.
Preceded in death by her husband, E.L. "Mac" McCarthy; parents, Edna (Hundshnisher) and Leo; two siblings in infancy and four brothers, Larry, Dan, Charles, and Gene.
The family would like to thank the Joliet Area Community Hospice staff for their support and care and send a very special thank you to Dorothy’s wonderful caregiver Paz.
Funeral services for Dorothy Louise McCarthy will be held on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Dorothy’s name be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice. Visitation will be MONDAY MORNING from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
