Elaine Z. (Kearns) McCarthy, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the Marian Manor Nursing Home in South Boston. She was 81 years of age.
She was a “Townie” to the core; she loved this little patch of the city. Never living far from her family home on Prospect Street, she attended Saint Mary’s School across from her family’s home parish and even spent the last decades of her life in the Constitution Co-Op housing, built on the same spot she went to school. Elaine’s biggest passion was Charlestown, and she was a member of many small groups and organizations dedicated to preserving and improving the community, including the Friends of City Square Park and as a supporter of the Bunker Hill Museum. She petitioned strongly for the recent renovations to the Engine 50 Firehouse, which was dear to her heart, as her grandfather had spent years of service as a firefighter at that very station. She was proud of the deep roots her family had in Charlestown. Her father, William Kearns Sr., was an employee at the old Hood Milk Plant on Rutherford Avenue and her mother, Josephine (Brady) Kearns, would organize dances for the youth of the town at the Mini on Bunker Hill Street during Elaine’s childhood. Elaine was a fixture at the Bunker Hill Day parade, whether as a spectator or marching with others in the political arena, always donning proud, patriotic colored outfits. She often regaled her family members with stories of her days meeting prominent members of the community she loved so much. She is survived by her son Garrett and his wife Joy, as well as sisters Gail Kearns and Lisa Kearns Heney, brothers William Kearns Jr. & Robert Kearns and his wife Janice, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Elaine's Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 12 Noon in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown. Her burial will be private, please inquire with the family if you wish to attend. There are no funeral home visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://www.kennedycenter.org/ an organization dedicated to helping the citizens of Charlestown.