Jeannette M. (Quinlan) McCarthy, 83, a longtime resident of Framingham, died Saturday August 23, 2025 after a period of declining health. Born in Brighton, the daughter of the late Thomas & Alice (Benson) Quinlan, and the beloved wife of the late Joseph F. “Jay” McCarthy, Jr.
Jeannette was a graduate of St. Patrick High School in Watertown, and afterwards began working at New England Telephone. In 1964 she married Jay, and they moved to Framingham to raise their family. While the children were young she worked at Hemenway School in Framingham, and later returned to New England Telephone. Upon her retirement, she went back to work part-time at the Hemenway while her son Danny was in attendance, and finally retired for good when her grandson Ryan finished the 5th grade.
Never one to sit still, Jeannette enjoyed her weekly bowling league, exercise classes, swimming and playing mahjong games. She loved being with her family and friends, and trips with the “mahjong girls”. If there was a party to be had, or any reason to celebrate, she was always ready to host. She was happiest when her home was filled with love and laughter.
Jeannette is survived by her children, Gail McCarthy-Klein, Joseph T. & his wife Patricia, Brian, and Daniel & his wife Kara, all of Framingham, her grandchildren, Joey & his wife Aleesia of Salt Lake City, UT, Patrick of Ashland, Timothy, Ryan, Lucas, and MacKenzie Rose. all of Framingham, her sisters and best friends, her twin, Jeraldine Faherty and Patricia Busconi both of Watertown, her brother and sister in law, Michael & Carol (McCarthy) O’Grady with whom she and Jay enjoyed an extremely loving special relationship.
Besides her husband Jay, Jeannette was predeceased by her brothers, Thomas, Richard “Dickey”, and William “Bill” Quinlan.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Jeannette’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Tuesday, September 2nd from 4-7PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning in St. Anselm Church, 100 Landham Road, Sudbury at 9:30AM. Interment will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery, Framingham.
To share a memory with Jeannette’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Chesmore Funeral Home