Lois Beier McCarthy, 97, of Plant City, and formerly of Pompano Beach, died Dec. 12, 2015.
Mrs. McCarthy was born in Sterling, Illinois and grew up in her family’s bakery business, learning to drive a delivery truck at 12 years old. She graduated from Sterling High School and Bradley University, earning a bachelor’s degree in home economics. In 1940, she married Robert H. McCarthy of Peoria, Illinois. During World War II, she frequently traveled by train with her baby daughter to California to meet her husband’s ship returning from the Pacific. As a naval officer’s wife, she established new homes for her family seven times over the years, including in Italy and Hawaii. After retirement, she and her husband settled in Pompano Beach. Her warmth and optimism, her talents as a cook, hostess and seamstress and her many years of volunteering as a room mother, scout leader, swim team supporter, Navy relief coordinator and helper to elderly neighbors endeared her to her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen McCarthy Blake, of Honolulu, and Susan McCarthy Mitchel, of Plant City; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A private service was held Dec. 21. Interment was held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.