Joan (Merle) (Poe) McCarthy

Merle Joan McCarthy, age 88 of Grand Haven, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018 at a local care facility in Zeeland. She was born on December 22, 1929 to the late Ralph and Gretchen (Haines) Poe in Jackson, MI. The Poe’s moved to Grand Rapids where Joan graduated from High School and Beauty College.  She relocated to Grand Haven and subsequently married Charles H. McCarthy on February 25, 1949. Shortly thereafter, Joan contracted polio and received treatment for over a year at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, and the National Polio Foundation Hospital in Warm Springs, GA.

Upon discharge, they built a house in Grand Haven Township and had six children. Joan was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for almost 70 years, and was a choir member, Bible study student, and Charismatic Prayer Group member. She was a talented seamstress and genealogy researcher, and enjoyed antiquing, crafting, painting, and growing plants.

She is survived by John and Diane (McCarthy) Lisciandro of Santa Rosa, CA;  Dave and Laura (McCarthy) Deiters of Naples, FL; Michael and Christine (Maciejewski)  McCarthy of Grand Haven;  Colleen (McCarthy) Gottman of Phoenix, AZ; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Allen Poe of Jenison; and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Mary McCarthy; son, Bryan Charles McCarthy; and her husband of 51 years, Charles McCarthy in January of 2002.

A Memorial Mass for Joan will take place on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 am, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Rev. Charles J. Schwartz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Historical Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Senior Resources of West MI.

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