PEABODY – Mrs. Shirley Marie (Johnson) McCarthy-Rossi, 95, of Brooksby Village, Peabody, beloved wife of the late Gabriel P. Rossi Sr. and the late Charles "Chuck" McCarthy Jr., died peacefully, Saturday, November 30th, 2024 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Robert F. and Mary (Thomas) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School, as a member of the class of 1947. She continued her education earning her bachelor's degree at Radcliff College in 1951. Later in life, she went back to school and earned her Master's in Education from Salem State College.

"Mrs. McCarthy" was a school teacher in the Peabody Public Schools for many years. She taught First and Second grade at the Center School and South School. At the time of her retirement in 1990, she was a reading supervisor at the Higgins Middle School. She was devoted to helping the youth of Peabody have a better life through a strong foundation in reading and education. After retirement she volunteered in the local schools in New Port Richey, FL.

She was fortunate enough to have 2 great loves in her life. She shared 22 years of marriage with her first husband, Chuck McCarthy before his sudden passing in 1976. She was left a young widow, with the challenge of raising four children. With a focus on the power of education, she gave all of her children a chance to succeed and was a great matriarchal role model. A number of years later she met another great man by the name of Gabriel Rossi Sr. They married and created a joyful life full of travel, golf and dancing, lasting 23 years until his passing in 2007. Shirley was a strong woman who overcame many obstacles in her path and came out a better person on the other side.

A longtime resident of the Gardner Park section of Peabody, she raised her family on Margin St.  Later in life, she lived in North Reading, MA and New Port Richey, FL with a brief stint in South Yarmouth, MA. Shirley was a social butterfly by nature making new friends and memories wherever she went. She was an avid golfer, active in ladies' leagues at Salem Country Club, Thompson Country Club, Seven Springs and Timber Greens Golf Clubs in Florida. She also enjoyed many golf trips with family and friends, playing at courses around the country.  At various times throughout her life, she was an active member in the Massachusetts Teachers Union, the Ladies Sodality at St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Churches in Peabody and was a past president of the Leo Guild.

Shirley is survived by her children, Linda Cosgrove and her husband, James of Damariscotta, ME, Kevin McCarthy of Peabody, Susan Runnals of Brownsville, VT and Caren Taché and her husband, Ronald of Middleton, Gabe's children, Gabriel Rossi Jr and his wife, Mary of Essex and Mary Theresa Lane and her husband, Bruce of Casco, ME, her grandchildren, Natasha and Alex Cosgrove, Andrew McCarthy, Kristen Aprile, Shayla McCarthy, Camille, Samantha, Veronica and Griffin Taché, Gabriel Rossi III, Briana Rossi, Alexander Rossi, Joni Lane-Coles and Jonathan Lane, 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Robert "Bob" Johnson.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral Mass which will be held at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Conant St., Danvers, Wednesday. Dec. 4th at 10 A.M. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Visiting hours omitted. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (rte 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley's memory to St. Mary's School Fund in Danvers or Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody.  To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

St. Mary's School Fund
14 Otis Street, Danvers MA 01923
Web: https://stmaryschooldanvers.org/annualgiving/

Bishop Fenwick School
99 Margin St., Peabody MA 01960
Web: https://www.fenwick.org/support