Mary Alice McCarthy (Pam)

April 6, 1938 - January 19, 2025

Pam, 86, a resident of Tacoma Washington, passed away at home on January 19, 2025, a perfect Sunday evening surrounded by her loved ones. She was born April 6, 1938 in Tacoma Washington at St Joseph's Hospital. She grew up as the youngest, with an older brother, Frank and sisters, Peggy and Patsy. She also had a brother named John who preceded in death when he was 4 years old. She was very involved with her Catholic faith. She went to Visitation school for grade school and later to St Leo's for high school. Later volunteering at St Pat's church and at St Joe's hospital as a eucharistic minister giving communion to patients. 

She was a single mom living in San Jose, CA when she met the love of her life, Blackie while working as server at Guys and Dolls. She worked 2 jobs to make ends meet as a server and in electronics production. But she was always able to make time for her children. She was able to navigate raising 5 children alone while working two jobs with the help of her life-long amazing friend, Twiggy.  Pam and Blackie married in 1968 and moved back to her hometown, Tacoma Washington, where they bought their house in 1969. 

In the mid 70's their first grandchild arrived and from then on, their treasure chest continued to fill with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-great grandchildren.  She started her career with Tacoma Public Schools touching many people's lives along the way until her retirement as a head-start family advocate in the late 90's. She was a den mother for cub scouts and loved being so involved in her children and grandchildren's lives. After retirement, she spent a lot of time babysitting for friends and family at home.

She loved the holidays and made sure to have a house full of family every chance she could. She even celebrated a very special “holiday” she called happy hmm hmm day that her daughter, Karen invented to make every day special.

Blackie and Pam enjoyed many years of good health after retirement. They fulfilled their dream traveling to Ireland and England enjoying their time together. They supported several casinos with their extra free time.   They traveled to the Oregon coast many times enjoying each other's company. Their happiest times were when the house was filled with family.

She fought a courageous battle with cancer for the last 2 months before throwing her crown at Jesus' feet.

She is survived by her children Connie, Peggy (Gene), Cindy (Scott), Jimmy (Terri) as well as her sister, Patsy along with numerous grand, great-grand and great-greats and many nieces and nephews and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Blackie; 3 daughters, Karen, Chris and Debbie; her siblings, Frank and Peggy.

We love you to pieces, Mom, Sister, Grandma, Grammy, Auntie, Friend and a true servant of God…

A Funeral Mass will be held at St Pat's Church 1123 North J Street, Tacoma 

Jan 31, 2025 @11:00am

Reception to follow