Janet "Jan" Mathilda McCarthy

Janet “Jan” Mathilda McCarthy, age 81, of Ocean Springs, passed away peacefully in her home the morning of February 17th. The Daughter of Jacob and Mabel Schmitt (Stortz), born in Hermann, MO. She spent the majority of her childhood on the family farm in Pershing, MO. A graduate of Hermann High School, she completed 1 year of college at Mizzou and attended St. Louis Community College for Medical Administration. Jan met and married her husband, Jack, in 1959 and their union brought 3 sons, John, Pat, and Ronnie. She was a resident of St. Louis from 1959 to 2004. She and her husband moved to Mississippi to be closer to their family. Jan held many positions of employment throughout her life, from an ice cream store attendant to various administrative positions at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for 18 years. After retiring from the hospital, she and her husband embarked on many small business ventures while being actively involved with Friedens Chapel, acting as their secretary until their relocation to Mississippi, where she then became the church secretary at St. Paul UMC downtown campus, and remained with the church for 12 years. An accomplished seamstress, Jan enjoyed making clothes for her children and grandchildren, as well as working with needlepoint, crochet, and knitting. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob J. and Mabel C. Schmitt (Stortz); son, Ronald W. McCarthy; and grandson, Steven P. McCarthy. She is survived by her husband, John W. McCarthy; children, John J. (Cassandra) and Patrick M. (Melinda); brother, Douglas E. Schmitt; sister, Vera Mae Schmitt; 3 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. A service will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs, MS at 11:00am on Monday, February 22nd, 2021. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. She will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in the name of Janet McCarthy to The American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund.org. “A grandmother is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments, and forgets all of your mistakes.”-Barbara Cage