Obituary for Service at the Hallett Funeral Home

Mary Rose (McCarty) Griffin

Oct 14th, 2024

Mary Rose (McCarty) Griffin, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Yarmouth Port on October 14, 2024, at the age of 90. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, John H. Griffin, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.

Mary Rose was born on January 6, 1934, in Waltham, MA to Mary and Dr. Raymond McCarty. She was the cherished sister of Geraldine (McCarty) Ballotti of Belmont, MA, and Thomas McCarty of Chapel Hill, NC. She was predeceased by her brother, Michael McCarty.

In 1955, Mary Rose graduated from the Boston College School of Nursing with a degree in nursing and went on to dedicate her life to the care of others. As a Registered Nurse, she was known for her compassionate heart, volunteering with hospice and local schools to support her community.

Mary Rose married the love of her life, John H. Griffin, on October 20, 1956, in Waltham, MA after meeting on a blind date. Together they built a beautiful life and raised seven children: Elisabeth (Lisa) of Dennis, MA; the late Stephen of Dennis, MA; John "Jack" of Nantucket, MA; Thomas of Naples, FL; Kevin of Braintree, MA; Carolyn of Ellicott City, MD; and Mary Ellen "Mel" of Arlington, MA.

In 1970, Mary Rose and her family moved full-time to Cape Cod where she became a pillar of the community. A longtime member of Our Lady of the Cape Church, her faith was central to her life. She was a founding trustee of the Family Pantry of Cape Cod, where she helped ensure that no family in the area would go without. She also served on the Dennis Board of Health for 18 years, always advocating for the well-being of others. Mary Rose was also a volunteer hospice nurse on Cape Cod..

Mary Rose had a remarkable array of talents and passions. She was known for her intricate knitting and her legendary white bread which friends and family always craved. Her home was a haven, open to anyone in need of a warm meal or a mother's touch. Whether cooking up a feast or simply making do with what was on hand, she had a knack for turning the simplest ingredients into something special. Though not every dish was a hit, such as the time she tried mackerel pasta with the barrels of fish John and the boys brought home from a day on the water. Still, her warmth and hospitality always shone through.

Mary Rose never passed up the small joys that life had to offer. To her fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, she was a loving, doting presence, always ready with advice or a comforting word. As her husband John once said of Mary Rose: “She is the one who makes things click in this clan," a sentiment that captures the heart of who she was, a steady, guiding force for her family.

Mary Rose’s warmth, kindness and generosity of spirit touched all who knew her and she will be deeply missed by her family, friends and the countless lives she brightened along the way.

Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, MA on Monday, October 21, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 22 at 11 a.m. in Saint Pius X Church, Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, MA. Interment to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Dennis, MA. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the service.

Rest in peace, Mary Rose. Your love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod https://thefamilypantry.com or to Mustard Seed Communities https://www.mustardseed.com