Carlene McCarthy

PORTLAND – Carlene McCarthy died peacefully on November 26, 2025, with family by her side. She lived with Alzheimer’s for 20 years.

She was born in Portland, Maine on April 9, 1938, to Thomas and Abbie McHugh. Carlene attended Portland schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1956 and Gorham State Teachers College in 1960.

Carlene married Richard G. McCarthy on August 18, 1962, and shared 59 years together until his passing November 20, 2021.

She was a teacher at Plummer Motz School in Falmouth from 1960 to1964, then stayed home for many years to raise her children. Carlene later co-owned a gift shop in the Old Port and was employed by Unum until her retirement in 1998.

Her most cherished role was as wife, mother and grandmother. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, fun-loving spirit and love of family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the devoted and caring nurses, CNAs and staff at the Barron Center. Thanks also to Compassus Hospice for their kindness, support and care in her final years and days.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine Pratico and husband Joseph; son, Richard McCarthy and wife Beth and her beloved grandchildren Abigail, Timothy and Audrey Pratico and Megan and Elizabeth McCarthy. She is also survived by her sister Carol Campbell and husband David, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, December 4 from 4-6PM at the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland. Prayers will be recited on Friday, December 5 at 10AM at Conroy-Tully Walker followed by an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Carlene’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074