Mary Ann (McCarthy) Hargrave

Mary Ann (McCarthy) Hargrave, age 90, passed away on August 27, 2019 at her home in Groton, MA with family by her side.

Mary Ann was born in Watertown, NY on February 18, 1929 to parents John and Marie (Viscardi) McCarthy.  She grew up in Watertown, NY and Ridgewood, NJ and went on to graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson College, class of 1949, with a degree in merchandising.

Mary Ann met her husband, William (Bill) J. R. Hargrave, while both were working in the Overseas Department at Perkin-Elmer Corporation in Norwalk, CT.  She and Bill married on May 28, 1960, established their home in West Redding, CT and spent 30 happy years there raising their son David. They were devoted members of Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown, CT where for 16 years Mary Ann was the parish secretary and was devoted to the youth of the parish as a role model and friend. For many years, Mary Ann’s leisure time was spent at the Redding Country Club where she and Bill enjoyed golf, tennis and paddle tennis. Bill and Mary Ann’s passion for travel took them to many countries throughout the world, and evidence of their enjoyment of other cultures could be seen in the pictures and art pieces in their home.  During their retirement, Bill and Mary Ann lived for 16 years in Tucson, AZ. In Tucson, Mary Ann followed her calling to work with the young and chose a difficult but rewarding vocation as a dedicated volunteer on the pediatrics floor at University Medical Center. When life hinted that it was time to transition again, Bill and Mary Ann followed that lead and chose to live the next 12 wonderful years in Valrico, FL.

Mary Ann was a contract bridge national master, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed a challenging crossword puzzle. She avidly followed professional tennis and loved anything having to do with animals. Over the years, she was a loving mom to German Shepherds King, Bella and Rajah, and cats Georgia, Bally and Micah. But by far, her greatest joys in life were her family and spending time with her many cherished good friends.

Mary Ann is survived by her son David J. Hargrave and his wife Christine of Pepperell, MA, step-daughters Joanne Traughber and her husband Benny of TN, Sharon Hargrave and Judy Hargrave-Boyd, both of AZ.  She is also survived by step-granddaughter Jennifer Huntsman, her husband Shane and their children Zachary and Dylan of FL, as well as step-grandson John Larkin, his wife Liza and their son Connor of NY.  Mary Ann is also survived by niece Gail Zoerner, nephew Bryan McCarthy and cousins Mary Jo Rose, Ann McKernan, Edward McKernan, and their respective families.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill on August 3, 2012, by her brother John (Bud) McCarthy in 1998, and her nephew John Patrick McCarthy. Mary Ann was especially close to her cousin Madeleine McKernan, David’s godmother, who predeceased her in 2014.

Mary Ann will be buried with her husband Commander William J. R. “Bill” Hargrave, USN at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Mary Ann’s love of all creatures great and small, donations can be made to the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, 499 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, MA 01462 (catsontheweb.org).

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.