Cecile Noel McCarthy

If you're about to throw away an old cool whip container, stop. Consider: Cecile Noel McCarthy (Rasmussen) (you probably knew her as "Ciel" pronounced Seal), who peacefully entered eternal life on Sunday, November 27, 2022, surrounded by her children. It was in middle school and high school that Ciel discovered her love of art. After serving in the Air Force, she was one of only a handful of students from across the country selected to study at the Art Institute of Chicago. Unfortunately, she had to leave the program to help her mom through an illness. While she was an avid dancer, who loved volleyball, gardening, going to church and charcuterie boards, you could always count on her to partake in having a piping hot cup of tea or a big glass of port wine with you. Ciel loved spending time with her family and her best friend Eileen Graff, as well as her sweet pit bull Sugar. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Ciel during her 86 years. Among them: Never throw away an old cool whip container. Use “McCarthy Tupperware” to store leftovers, knickknacks, or craft supplies. Practical and economical, opening seven identical containers before you find the item you want is a patience builder. Also: If your husband tells too many dad jokes, cringe as much as you can. If he doesn’t notice you, scowl at him until he does. Then make sure to say his name, while simultaneously shaking your head to demonstrate your daily suffering. Let a dog (or two) share your lazy boy with you and also share your bed at night. Walk them two miles every day too. Go to the movies with a handkerchief in your purse, and cry during sad movies, every time. Don’t forget the extra buttered popcorn. From the front window of your house, wave goodbye to everyone you love as they drive away, every time. Do a puzzle….while you drink a glass of wine. Watch the Hallmark channel, especially around Christmas, and watch Golden Girls until it’s time for bed….while you drink a glass of wine. Keep picky eating children at the table until they eat all their dinner, or until they throw up. Never let others know you’re tired. Yet, remain strong and persist, even when it’s hard. Sacrifice for your loved ones, even when it’s tough. Hug others when you meet them, greet them and when you say good bye. Always defend those you love from those who judge. Do not tear off the return mailing label; use it for your address book. Remain modest, even when you’re talented and beautiful. Above all, Ciel cared - about everyone, was kind – to everyone, accepted – everyone, hugged – everyone, was loved – by everyone, and had time – for everyone. You may read this and recall a moment with her that touched your heart, tickled your funny bone, or maybe made you say "huh?" She is survived by her children and grandchildren whose photos she would have shared on an iphone, if she had one. Instead, she covered all the walls and refrigerator with them: Ciel is reunited with her husband, Mr. James G. McCarthy Jr, and is predeceased by one sibling, Dorothy (Jean) Lundgren, her mother, Hilda Rasmussen (Cape), her father Holger Rasmussen, her son, Russell McCarthy and her daughter-in-law, Tonya McCarthy. Her spirit is carried on by seven loving children, Kay (Terry) Staley from Minnesota, Robert McCarthy from Ohio, Judy (Pawel) Jedynak from Indiana, Jamerson (Christine) McCarthy from Washington State, Carl (Dora) McCarthy from California, Bonnie McCarthy (Angela Grossman) and Kimberly McCarthy, both from Chicago. Ciel was also the proud grandmother of Jennifer (Kenneth) Flathers, Eric (Nikkie) Staley, Melissa (Tony) Talkowski, Shawna McCarthy, James McCarthy, Janie McCarthy, Caleb McCarthy, Rachel Jedynak, Joshua Jedynak, Jakub Jedynak, Lukus McCarthy, Ashley McCarthy, Tyler McCarthy, Patrick Flores, Marco Flores, great-grandmother to Matthew, Branden, Justin, Peyton, Teah, Dakota, Liam, Mikayla, Danica, Addelynn, Ezekiel, Donovan and Izabella, and great-great grandmother of April and Jordan. As her entire body is being donated to science, a Memorial Service will be JUN 3. 12:00 PM.at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 2017 W. 110th Place, Chicago, IL 60643.