Mildred Theresa McCarthy

Mildred Theresa McCarthy, known fondly as Millie, age 88, of New Castle, DE, passed away at home after an 11 month battle with cancer, on Saturday, February 18, 2017, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Millie was born in Wilmington, DE on June 4, 1928 and was the daughter of the late William H. and Olive (Fisher) Merkel. She was a graduate of Wilmington High School and a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War. Millie retired from the Bank of Delaware after nearly 30 years of dedicated employment. A longtime and active parishioner of St. Helena R.C. Church, she was president of the Altar Society and gave of her time by coaching CYO softball and volleyball at the parish. An avid and talented bowler, Millie was a member of a number of leagues at both Bowlerama and Holiday Lanes, was on the Board of Directors for the WWBA and was a certified youth bowling coach. Additionally, she was inducted into both the Wilmington and Delaware Womens Bowling Halls of Fame for her years of tireless service to the sport. Active in her community, Millie was a past secretary of the Castle Hills Civic Association and a member of the U.S. Navy Memorial and the First State Military Woman Warriors. Proud of her heritage, she loved everything Irish and was a member of the Irish Culture Club of Delaware. Millie was a loyal Phillies fan who watched every game she could. In her leisure time, she enjoyed completing puzzles and word searches and playing Yatzee. In addition to her parents, Millie was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Austin; brothers, William Sonny Merkel and Joseph Merkel; and great granddaughter, Evangelina McCarthy. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law who served as her caregivers, Karyn and Wayne Wilson; son, Michael J. McCarthy (Brenda); grandchildren, Timothy McCarthy, Megan Wiles (Wilson), Mike McCarthy, Jr. and Stacie McCarthy; 7 great grandchildren, one of whom is anticipated to arrive in April; special niece, Patricia DiSabatino; and best friends, Mary Hall and Winnie Tyler. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 1 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 1 pm. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), P.O. Box 8500, Philadelphia, PA 19178.