Thecla Elizabeth McCarthy nee Holtmeyer, September 21, 1925 to May 28, 2020

In joy and sadness, we announce the entry into eternal life of Thecla McCarthy. Celebrating her life are her husband of 70 years, Terrence (Terry) James McCarthy, who Thecla married on June 14, 1950 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Petoskey, Michigan. Their children Terry Jr, Kevin, Rory, Bob, Cronan, Sean, Chris, Brigid, Hilary, Camille, and their spouses, along with her 42 grandchildren, and their spouses, and 22 great-grandchildren, (living in 11 states and 3 countries) celebrate her new life in Christ. Greeting her in eternal life are her children Joseph and Mary.

Thecla, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Secular Franciscan of 60 years, world traveler, and author of 10 Ambassadors to Costa Rica, My Liberated Life, and Cooking Under Pressure, was born in Washington Missouri to George and Rose Holtmeyer. There she grew up with her ten brothers and sisters. Seven siblings preceded her in death, and three sisters; Rosemary, Georgia, and Carol, celebrate her new life with us today.

After graduating from St. Francis Borgia High School, Thecla worked at Capitol Records in St. Louis and then moved to Michigan where she met and married Terry. Tecky and Terry's combined adventurous spirit took them and their children to Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Costa Rica, Suriname, and Illinois, to name a few, and then to, Tucson, Arizona in 1979.  From there she traveled extensively throughout the United States, and the world, visiting children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. Rosie and Jane from Suriname, who knew Thecla as mommy, and many other cherished friends are also sharing in our grief and hope.

Thecla is cherished by her `family and friends with whom she shared her gift of love and faith. She is remembered for her devotion to praying the rosary and Daily Office, her great cooking, her sense of adventure and justice, and for her deep abiding love of all life, and prayer. Music, Manhattan's, babies, ice cream, and daily Mass were all an important part of her life. Her love for her parish family in Tucson, beginning with St. Monica's and her current parish of Santa Catalina, were central to her strong faith.

Thecla began her journey of eternal life, peacefully in her home, the home of Brigid and Brian Kram and their children, surrounded by many members of her loving family. Thecla will be greatly missed by all who love her; we wait in joyful hope, knowing we will be united with her again.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the services will be lived streamed, you may watch them with the links below.

* corrected link* Wednesday Visitation and Rosary: https://youtu.be/U-rvEK3h0ds

Thursday Rosary and Mass: https://youtu.be/61ep169fRws