FULTON – February 24, 2024, Judith “Judy” T. McCarthy, 77, of Syracuse, NY and formerly of Fulton, NY, died Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Elderwood in Liverpool, surrounded by family. Born in Hackensack, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Julius and Dorothea (Metcalfe) Thaisz. Judy was the valedictorian and president of Morrisville-Eaton Central School, class of 1964. She attended Cornell University and started her employment as a reporter for the Oneida Daily Dispatch. While reporting a story, she met and later married the love of her life, Frederick “Mac” McCarthy, Sr., a New York state trooper. For several years she was a full-time homemaker and then earned a degree at Onondaga Community College and became bookkeeper for both Ed Vayner & Associates in Fulton and Reflected Images in Syracuse.
Judy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fulton, serving as treasurer for many years. She was a long-time member of the Friends of History in Fulton, including three years sitting on its Board of Directors. She will also be sorely missed by her monthly Pokerkeno card group who have been playing together for 33 years. Judy was an avid equestrian, at one time co-owner of the M-Bar-W horse arena, and the safe port in a storm for all stray cats, some winters feeding more than 20 in the barn. Most recently, Judy took joy in living with her daughter Amanda and granddaughters McCarthy and Aidan, passing along her love of books and, less successfully, her skill at gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mac, and her brother, Jay Thaisz.
Surviving are her two daughters, Amanda (Nathan) Mountain, Sally (Rick) Schram; her four sons, Michael McCarthy, Samuel Gerbig, Frederick (Vicky) McCarthy, Jr., and Dennis (Donna) McCarthy; and her “little” brother, Richard “Dick” Thaisz.
Judy fiercely loved all her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law, and cousins. She is remembered for her kindness, the warmth of her smile and laugh, her sharp mind, humility and, most especially, her strength (and stubbornness) in facing adversity.
Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3rd at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay Street, Fulton. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th at the First United Methodist Church, 1408 State Route 176, Fulton, with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fulton. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association, https://www.apdaparkinson.org/1907d3l/ or the CNY Cat Coalition, https://www.cnycatcoalition.org/donate/ in Judy’s memory are welcome.
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