Obituary of Carla L. McCarthy

Carla L. McCarthy, age 51 of Halfmoon, passed away on July 18, 2015. She was born on February 14, 1964, in Joliet, IL. She was the devoted wife of Jeffrey A. McCarthy and cared for him until his death in December, and was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Gigstad. Carla earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in nursing from NYU and had begun her master’s degree in Biomedical Ethics. She worked for Albany Medical Center as a critical care nurse and became a mentor to many young nurses. She was also a respected teacher at Maria College. She devoted her life to her children and husband. Sewing dresses for her daughters and niece was a labor of love. She enjoyed the thrill of the hunt in antique shops and flea markets and was an adventurous cook. She is survived by her beloved children, Megan, Andrew and Erika McCarthy, parents, Carla and Paul Henschel, sisters, Joan and Diane Gigstad, brother, Kenneth Gigstad and his wife, Nivi, and numerous aunts and uncles, and her second mother, Aunt Joan, as well as many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at Catricala Funeral Home Inc. on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Saratoga National Cemetery on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.