Mary Kay McCarthy

Mary Catherine McCarthy, 84, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 26, 2026, at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. She lived a life based on love of her family and friends and generosity to others.
Mary Kay was born in Rochester, N.Y., the first child of Mary Ellen Hegarty McCarthy and John James "Jack" McCarthy (both deceased). She is survived by her brother Sean McCarthy and sister-in-law, Sally Keil, of Staatsburg, N.Y., and her sister-in-law Estelle Donahue McCarthy of Needham, MA. Mary Kay was predeceased by her brother, Daniel McCarthy and sister-in-law, Shari Barth McCarthy.
Mary Kay is also survived by her five beloved nieces and nephews, Megan McCarthy Sanzio (Joe) of Natick, MA, Dr. Molly McCarthy Walsh (Tim) of Southern Pines, NC, Daniel F. McCarthy (Erin) of Wilmette, IL, Sara McCarthy Kennedy (Jeremy) of New York, NY and Sean Michael McCarthy (Tatiana) of Framingham, MA. She was also the proud Great-Aunt of ten nieces and nephews and had many wonderful cousins, relatives, friends and neighbors.
Mary Kay grew up in the 19th Ward of Rochester and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Grammar School and Saint Agnes High School. She graduated in 1964 from Nazareth College with a major in Business and Economics.
In 1964, Mary Kay began working at Eastman Kodak in Rochester. She worked in the International Division and made many dear friends during her nearly forty-year career.
Mary Kay was always up for a challenge and had a great attitude of, "Why not" and "Count me in". She was a member of the Monroe Y Ski Club, a Bridge Club, a Mahjong group and attended events as part of the Retired Professional Organization. She loved to read, knit and play card games with her family and friends. She made many gorgeous baby blankets, sweaters, caps and mittens and donated many of her handmade items to local charities.
Mary Kay loved to travel. After her college graduation in 1964, she and her friends went on a grand tour of Europe, including passage to England on the Queen Mary. For many years, she and her friends went to St. Thomas, and she had many fun vacations with her family in Juno Beach, Florida and Bald Head Island, SC. She also made several trips to Ireland and enjoyed spending time with her Hegarty and McCarthy relatives. Mary Kay was very proud of her Irish heritage and loved learning more about Ireland through her travels.
In 1984, Mary Kay purchased a cottage on the beautiful shores of Canandaigua Lake and lived a blessed life on the lake for over forty years. She loved to have her family and friends join her on the deck and in the water and she was a generous hostess. She was always eager to invite people to a Memorial Day gathering, a Fourth of July barbecue and to the annual Ring of Fire at her cottage. Mary Kay wanted her family and friends to have fun, and her door was always open. Mary Kay's cottage was a true gathering spot where you could relax, spend time together, have a "G&T" and enjoy amazing sunsets over the lake.
Her five nieces and nephews spent so many wonderful summer vacations with Mary Kay and their parents at her cottage on the lake, and enjoyed swimming, fishing, cooking out, and waving to the Canandaigua Lady.
Mary Kay's family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Thompson Hospital for their compassionate care of Mary Kay and to her amazing friends and neighbors who helped during her final days.
Friends may call Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5-7 PM at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo Street Canandaigua.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday June 20, 2026, at 10:45 AM at Saint Mary's Church, 95 N. Main Street in Canandaigua. Burial will follow the Mass at Woodlawn Cemetery, 130 N. Pearl Street in Canandaigua.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Mary's Church 95 N. Main St. Canandaigua or the Canandaigua Watershed Association, 144 Mill Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com.