Denise McGarity Passes Away

Denise Mary McGarity passed away in the early hours of June 17, surrounded by her loving family. She was 60 years of age. Denise was born in Brighton on June 4, 1957, third of four children of Marilyn F. (O’Brien) McGarity and George E. McGarity.

Denise was a graduate of RMHS class of 1975. Post graduation, Denise would work several jobs before embarking on what would be a decades-long career in the electronics industry. She was a successful business owner, but work would always pale in importance compared to her passion for friends and family.

When not making her home in New England, Denise lived for a time in Kennesaw, GA and Palm Bay, FL. Her home in Florida gave her proximity to Disney World, nearly a home-away-from-home for this expert tour guide. Denise was proud to boast that she visited the parks over 100 times, and every time you could find her guiding friends and family to all the best spots. Her favorite trips were those made with her nieces and nephews, who cherished time with their “Auntie Dese.” Denise had a passion for travel, including visits to the Panama Canal, Ireland, Greece, Argentina, and her beloved Tuscany & Rome, savoring the local foods, music and shopping, sharing her outgoing personality, and collecting friends everywhere she went.

Denise’s disability would limit her travel later in life, but her love of family and friends remained undiminished. She relished a party, and eagerly looked forward to the next gathering of loved ones. Her move back to Reading in recent years meant a reconnection with many high school friends with whom she shared many special moments. Her sweet dog Cassie will miss going along for the ride, as she was known to accompany Denise wherever she went.

Denise was generous to a fault, loved to laugh and make others laugh, was a voracious reader and loved to soak up the sun. The hole her passing leaves in the lives of her family and friends is deep and wide.

Denise was predeceased by her mother Marilyn and brother Michael. She is survived by her father George and stepmother Becky Longley of Reading, sister Lynne Perry and husband Jeff of Scarborough, ME, sister Christine Mackenzie and husband Don of Cape Elizabeth, ME, sister-in-law Anette and husband Gary Lipman of Ft. Lee, NJ, nieces and nephews Sam, Elyse, Julia, Joshua, George, Lily and Michael, beloved Aunt Marguerite Holland of Arlington, many cousins and countless friends across the country.

Visiting hours will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, June 23 at Douglass, Edgerly & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St., Reading MA. A funeral service will be held at the same location at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24th followed by internment at Wood End Cemetery at 40 Franklin St., Reading.