WORCESTER-Mary Cree McLaughlin Carroll, 81, of 70 Briarwood Circle, formerly of Monadnock Road, died Monday, September 5th at home. Her husband of 48 years, Dr. Joseph V. Carroll died in 1998. She leaves 8 children, Michael K. Carroll of Edgewater, FL, Colleen V. Subin of Bonita Springs, FL, Deborah J. Risotti of North Reading, Jeanne M. Carroll of Sacramento, CA, Jill A. Carroll Sargent of Sterling, Gregory J. Carroll of Worcester, Deirdre E. Carroll Donahue of Auburn, Patrice M. Carroll Fullen of Holden, 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces, and her beloved cousins from South Carolina including, Joanne Wilson, H. Lane Wilson, Carlyle McGill, Larry Arch Rogers and Carroll Rogers Whittle. Her brother, Daniel McLaughlin, died as an infant.
Mary Cree was born on July 3, 1924 in Gaffney, South Carolina the daughter of Joseph Marion and Mary Carroll Cree McLaughlin. She graduated magna cum laude, with a bachelor degree in art from Stetson University in Deland, FL in 1944. She pursued post graduate studies in civil engineering from Virginia Poly Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. She was also licensed as a Real Estate and Travel Agent. Mary Cree was employed as a cartographer, by the U.S. Army Map Services, adjunct of the Office of Strategic Services and forerunner of the C.I.A., in Washington, DC from January 1945 to August 1950. She and her husband moved to Worcester in 1951. Mary Cree was an active member and president of the Worcester City Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, a member of the Worcester Women’s Club and Regent of the Colonel Timothy Bigelow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mary Cree will be remembered by all who knew her for her living example of gentle kindness, perseverance, respect for others and her beautiful smile.
The funeral is Friday, September 9th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Thursday, September 8th from 6:30 until 8:30 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alternatives Incorporated of Worcester, 600 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01608.