Marcia Olivia Walcott McCarthy was born in Barbados,West Indies on November 12, 1951 to the late Eileen and Joseph Walcott. She was the fourth of six children. She attended St. Paul’s Primary School and graduated from St. Michael’s Girls School in Barbados,West Indies. In 1978, Marcia immigrated to Boston and worked in various roles in the Medical Records Department at Boston Medical Center until she retired in 2015.
In addition to her many years of service at Boston Medical Center, Marcia also dedicated a great deal of her time to the community. She was a Daisy Girl Scout Leader at St. Angela’s Church in Mattapan for many years. She was also a founding member of Caribbean Heritage Association, Inc. (CHA) which started in 1986. At CHA, she was a hardworking and faithful member who always carried out her duties with a smile and a quiet demeanor. She was committed to the principles of the organization and could always be counted on to assist whenever help was needed.
Over the years, Marcia held several positions in CHA such as Youth Coordinator and Entertainment Chairperson. She organized educational activities for the youth, planned bus tours across the US and Canada and was instrumental in planning and preparing items for the Annual Food Festivals. CHA and the Caribbean Foundation of Boston honored Marcia for her work within the organization. She was named Member of the Year. Marcia was truly a treasured member of the organization and will never be forgotten.
On July 19, 2002, Marcia married Sylvan McCarthy. Her greatest joy and fulfillment came from her being with family. She looked forward to annual family trips to Barbados and many weekends traveling to visit family in New York. Marcia loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren. She was always very excited and energized when they visited. From the youngest to the oldest, Nana had a unique connection with each one and made them all feel special. She relocated to Wellington, Florida in 2019 and spent the last years of her retirement with her devoted and loving husband, Sylvan.
She was known by her family and extended family as one of the sweetest, caring, soft spoken, kind-hearted and loving people in the world. Marcia enjoyed cooking for her family and often cooked for friends fulfilling their special requests for her famous oxtail and fish cakes. Whenever there was a family event for her Boston family,
you knew Marcia would cook the food. All you had to do was tell her what you wanted on the menu. When that party was over people would talk about that food for not days, not months, but for years. She put her heart and soul into cooking.
On Saturday, May 1, 2021, she passed away after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eileen and Joseph Walcott.
She leaves to cherish her memory and to celebrate her legacy: Husband: Sylvan McCarthy
Loving Children: Nicole (Nathaniel) West, Diane Walcott, and Ryan (Jania) Walcott.
Brothers and Sisters: Therold (Patricia) Walcott, Michael (Arlene) Walcott, Dennis (Camille) Walcott, Eldra (Michael) Cummins, Rhonda (Stephen) Harris.
Her heartbeats and Grandchildren: Shad, Faith, Briana, Ryan Jr, Kiyah and Kimora.
Nieces and nephews: John, Michael, Catherine, Rhonda, Darren,
Darrian,Amanda, Smiley, Dave, Sandra, Michelle, Marleah, and Natasha (Shawn). Thirteen great nieces and nephews.
Cousins and relatives from the Harris, Marshall, Murrell, Boyce, Jernigan, Walcott, Bostic, Phillips, Cumberbatch, Callender, Shepherd, Morris, Rogers, McCarthy families and a host of friends too numerous to mention.
She completed her earthly work, she fought the good fight, she finished the course and she kept the faith. Thank you God for allowing us to have known and loved your Angel.