Elaine Mildred (McCarthy) Dykens of Woburn, MA, entered into Heaven on July 12, 2022, surrounded by the love of family at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene, NH. She was 79 years young.
Elaine is survived by her husband of 57 years, John “Jack” Dykens, as well as her three daughters and sons-in-law: Denise and Gary Locke of Peabody, Rene and Chuck Perry of Woburn, and Michelle and Craig Doyle of Windham, NH. Elaine was also the cherished Nana to her eight “darlins,” Chris, Alex, Charlie, Grace, Kaitlyn, Regan, Delaney and Kelsey.
Born on April 24, 1943, in Charlestown, MA to the late Charles and Mabel McCarthy, Elaine was immensely proud of her Irish surname, her Townie heritage, and her large family. She graduated from Charlestown High with the class of 1962. Elaine treasured spending time with her nine siblings and their families, including Margie O’Callahan and Michael McCarthy, and the late Charles “Mac” McCarthy, Bob McCarthy, Jean Bossi, Pat Hendrickson, Helen Orpen, Mal Young, and Velna Marsden. The McCarthy siblings shared a special bond.
Elaine will be remembered for her quick wit and punchy one-liners, as well as her love of dancing. From the Stroll, to the Hustle, to the Electric Slide, she was usually the first one out on the dance floor at family celebrations, and enjoyed teaching her dozens of nieces and nephews the latest dance craze of the day.
A resident of Woburn for over 50 years, Elaine was an active volunteer in her daughters’ activities as they grew up. She took great pride in their accomplishments and treasured the happy family memories made together over Saturday morning tea at the kitchen table. And no one was prouder of her grandchildren than Nana Elaine.
Elaine worked for many years in the banking industry before retiring in the late 1990s. In her later years, she and Jack escaped the cold Boston winters to Venice, FL and spent summers on the lake at their camp in Fitzwilliam, NH, before returning right back to their home in Woburn with their daughter Rene and her family.
No matter where she traveled, Elaine lived life by her motto, “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.” And what good times she had, always surrounded by the embrace of family creating a legacy of love. She will be forever missed.
Funeral services for Elaine will be held from the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Tuesday, July 19th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Family Funeral Home will be held on Monday, July 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m.