Obituary of Marion Ethel (McCarthy) Stepenuck

Marion Ethel (McCarthy) Stepenuck, 87, of Salem, died at Salem Hospital on Friday, November 7, 2008 from complications after a fall in her home. Wife of the late Walter John Stepenuck whom she married in 1942 and shared 59 years of marriage. Mrs. Stepenuck was born in Peabody on September 19, 1921, daughter of the late Michael J. and Mary E. (Hogan) McCarthy. She was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1940. She resided in Salem for most of her life and was a longtime parishioner of St. James Church. Marion was employed for many years at GTE Sylvania in Danvers. Marion was a remarkable woman and proud of her Irish heritage. She lived with the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis for 53 years and never complained. She always remembered birthdays, special occasions of relatives and friends and never missed sending a greeting. She enjoyed family outings, playing cards when able to, crossword, trivia questions and at a younger age loved to dance. Marion was a longtime member of the AOH Division 18 in Salem. Marion loved being a wife, mother, matriarch and family history teller. “We applaud you for your grit and tenacity and above all your dry sense of humor and optimistic view of life. Your family and friends miss you, love you dearly and pray for you just as you have done for us all these years. Now, Rest in Peace”. Marion is survived by her loving children and their spouses, M. Bernadette and Thomas J. Paras of Peabody, Warren F. Stepenuck of West Newfield ME, Mark E. Stepenuck and his companion Christine Card of Salem, Diane and William Blackwell of Ormond Beach FL; a brother and his wife, Warren and Joan McCarthy of Danvers; a sister, Dorothy Margaret Sheehan of Beverly; a sister-in-law, Theresa McCarthy of Salem; her grandchildren, Carolyn and Dereck Lake of Salisbury, Scott Stepenuck of Boston, T.J. Paras Jr. of Ipswich, Blair, Caszandra and William Blackwell III all of Ormond Beach FL, Derek and Crystal Stepenuck of Salem; a great granddaughter, Taylor Rose Lake whom she called “Little Doll” and many nieces and nephews. Her siblings Ralph, Arthur and Raymond McCarthy predeceased her. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 10 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (new location) Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Her burial of ashes will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.