Patricia Rose Mccarthy

Patricia (Pat) McCarthy, 87, Green Bay, died peacefully and with grace on Friday, November 19, 2021. Born on January 19, 1934, in Green Bay, WI, she is the daughter of the late Henry (Hank) and Rose (Hershman) Coppens of the Stratosphere Club. Pat graduated from St. Philip Grade School and St.
Joseph Academy, both in Green Bay, WI. She continued her education at Marycrest College in Davenport, IA, and graduated from the University of MN in Minneapolis, MN. After graduating from college, she married the late James (Jim) McCarthy on November 10, 1956, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, WI.

Pat had varied jobs and careers throughout her life: working at her parents' dinner club; x-ray technician at St. Vincent Hospital; SNC bookstore; UWGB extension services coordinator; Wisconsin Optical Services executive assistant; Port Plaza Mall marketing director; nursing home administrator; foster parent, grandmother of three, mother of six and wife of one.

Volunteering was always part of her DNA: Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School and Parish; League of Women Voters (local President); election judge; local, state and national politics (a proud life-long Democrat who worked on campaigns and was a delegate at conventions); ERA ratification (regional director); Art Street (board member); Green Bay Holiday Parade (board member); St. Vincent Hospital; Unity Hospice. She supported many causes, especially when it came to animals, women's rights and children, particularly disabled children and their quest for equal educational opportunities. Pat helped many women get their first jobs and get back on their feet after suffering hard times.

Pat was generous and had a fantastic sense of humor and laugh, all of which were contagious. She loved being entertaining and being entertained: music, dancing (including at the Shamrock Club dances), television, movies, books, politics, news and current events, dining out (especially at the Stratosphere Club), Schmitt Park pool parties, vodka martinis on the rocks and socializing.

She was a life-long Packer and Badger football fan, proud of her Irish and Belgian ancestries, enjoyed raising her family in Schmitt Park and belonging to the community at large.

Her Catholic faith was one of her foundations and the source of much of her drive. She was an active member of St. Willebrord's Parish, where she found comfort and community.

Ultimately, Pat's proudest accomplishments were as a mother and grandmother (Gram Pats), where you could see the ordinary became extraordinary.

Simply put, she was an astronaut.

She is survived by five children: James "Jimmer" McCarthy, II (Carrie Canadeo) of Sturgeon Bay, Michael McCarthy of Sturgeon Bay, Kara McCarthy of Green Bay, Dennise McCarthy of Green Bay, Meghan McCarthy of St. Paul, MN; three grandchildren: Miluzka and Zeno McCarthy of Sturgeon Bay, Mizu McCarthy of Milwaukee and their mother, Miriam McCarthy, of Sturgeon Bay; one sister: Jewel O'Brien of DePere; one brother: John Coppens (Sue) of Wausau; one sister-in-law: Norma McCarthy of Sioux City, IA; nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter: Brigid Anne McCarthy; two brothers-in-law: John and Paul McCarthy; one sister-in-law: Mary McCarthy; one nephew: Tommy McCarthy.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 29, 2021, at St. Willebrord Church Catholic Church, 209 S. Adams St., from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Andrew Cribben, O. Praem officiating.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal Ridge Residential Care in Sturgeon Bay for their care of Pat over the past year. Also, the family would like to extend a special thanks to Carrie Canadeo for her extra support and friendship.