Catherine McCarthy Carli

Cathy McCarthy Carli died September 19, 2008. Cathy, the loving wife of Alessio and devoted mother of twins Alessia and Catia, was a woman of talent and a tower of strength. She was an award winning graphic designer and an advocate for children with special needs, especially those with Down Sydrome. Cathy, born in San Francisco and the daughter of Chris and Rose McCarthy (deceased), both natives of Ireland, was proud of her Irish heritage, but she was even more proud of her Italian-born husband and her Irish-Italian-American daughters. For every life Cathy touched, a soul was nurtured and made that much the better for knowing her. Her sisters, Marian (McCarthy) Shaffner and Maggie (McCarthy) Bell, will miss her dearly, as will her sister-in-law, Anna Carli, her mother-in-law, Tina Carli, and her father-in-law Elpidio Carli, all of Sienna, Italy. Her brothers-in-law, Dave Shaffner and Kurt Bell, and her nephews, Stephen Shaffner and Brendan and Kevin Bell, will never forget the joy that was our Cathy. She will be remembered by all who knew her, especially by her loving cousins in America and in Ireland, her dear friends from Presentation High School, her friends from San Francisco, Paris, Sonoma and Hollister, the artists she worked and painted with and by anyone who was able to work, play, paint, or share a glass of wine with her. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund is being set up for Alessia and Catia. Friends are invited to a memorial Mass and a celebration of Cathy’s life on Friday Sept. 26th at 1:30 P.M. at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista 2nd & Mariposa Streets, San Juan Bautista. Memorials may be addressed to Carli Children Trust Fund c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister or left with the mortuary staff at the service. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for service information and condolences.