Maudrey Lee Handy McCarthy, 83, departed this life on Monday, March 28, 2016, in the care of Heart of Hospice. She was the wife of George McCarthy. They shared nearly sixty years of marriage together.

Born in Lawtell, Louisiana, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Handy, Sr. and Semonia Semien Handy. She attended Biagas Colored School in Opelousas, LA. She was employed at McNeese State University for thirty years as Cafeteria Supervisor. During her tenure at McNeese, she helped to mold the lives of many students by encouraging them to do their personal best.

She was a faithful member of St. Henry Catholic Church. She attended every Saturday or Sunday until she became ill. She was an avid reader and loved watching Westerns. She found peace in embroidering items such as pillowcases. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was considered a Master Chef in the kitchen. She will be remembered most for her scrumptious dishes, particularly her rice dressing.

She is survived by her husband, George McCarthy; children, Menelika McCarthy-Basele, Janise (Robert) McCarthy-Lewis, Catherine (Francesca Shrewsberry) McCarthy, Peter McCarthy, Shonna (Arnold Lyle) McCarthy-Lewis, and Marlise (Keith Cezair) McCarthy; grandchildren, Ashamunite Tefera, Amethyst (Dylan) Marrone, Peter Daigle, Patrick McCarthy, Michael Dodd, Jessica Pete, Sean Lewis Arnold Lyle Lewis, Jr., and Keith Cezair, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Khalil Rashad, Kaiya White, Peyton Pete, Jorden Pete, Daylon Pete, Nahla Lewis, Nia Lewis, Makayla Lewis, and Mackenzie Lewis; sisters, Mary Lou Semien, Thelma Briscoe, and Gertrude Sims; brother, Joseph Handy Jr.; special nephews, Andrew Drayton and Adrian Fondel; and granddogs, Harley Jake Lewis, Mr. Charlie, and "K". She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Semonia Handy and one sister, Leona Mae Roberts.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital - "Maudrey McCarthy Memorial Fund." All donations will go directly to the hospital to find a cure for childhood cancers.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: April 2, 2016

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. Henry Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M. with interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8:00 to 9:40 A.M. at Combre Funeral Home with a Rosary at 9:00 A.M.