Worcester: Barbara Ann (McCarthy) Howarth, 69, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus. She is survived by her children Sharon Person and her husband Bob of Worcester, Mary Lynn McCarthy of Worcester, and Michael McCarthy of Foot Hills Ranch CA; grandchildren Billy Person and MacKenzie McCarthy ; great grandson Finnick Person; siblings Dennis McCarthy and his wife Gail of West Boylston, Mary Matias and her husband Joe of West Boylston, Peter McCarthy of CA; sister-in-law Kathy McCarthy of Westminster, and her beloved Aunt Rose Giamalvo of Fitchburg. She will also be missed by her former husband John McCarthy many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the "valley girls". She was predeceased by her husband Ronald Howarth, her brother Timothy McCarthy and sister-in-law Cynthia McCarthy.
Barbie, as she was affectionately known, was born in Worcester, daughter of the late G. David and Barbara (Conrad) McCarthy. She was educated in Worcester Public Schools and went on to own The Countryside Café in Sterling and then Barb's Riverside Café in Fitchburg. After retiring, she returned to Worcester to reside with her daughters. She enjoyed puzzles and was an avid reader, even setting up her own sidewalk library on Wawecus Rd.
According to Barbie's wishes, her funeral services will be private and be directed by Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on March 2, 2024 from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Manor Restaurant in West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbie's memory may be made to Buckys Food Pantry at St. Bernard’s Church Worcester MA. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.