Leda (Pasquinelli) McCarthy

Leda McCarthy, age 86, of Mishicot died at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Medical Center on Saturday, January 14, 2023, after a brief illness.

Leda had a great sense of humor and was a friendly, sociable person. Even living with a challenging disability of blindness, did not slow down her positive attitude or interfere with her joy of life. She was a true inspiration for everyone.

Leda was born on June 30, 1936 in Altopascio, Lucca, Italy, to Settimo Pasquinelli and Maria Marina Pasquinelli Centoni in the beautiful hill country of Tuscany. The scenic mountains were a background of life for everyone there. She grew up in Piaggione, a picturesque small town in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains in the Tuscan countryside. Leda attended the local public schools and helped her father tend to the church garden and helped her mother with many household chores. She also had many friends and cousins nearby and had a childhood filled with many adventures, especially climbing the foothills and having picnics al fiume, or many picnics on the Serchio River. The family spent many summers in Badia Pozzeveri, the family's hometown visiting with grandparents and cousins. As a little girl, Leda showed much courage during the summer visit when World War II began. Surviving these events helped her become resilient and pragmatic.

Courage and optimism were a part of her character all of her life. As a teenager, she emigrated to Newark, New Jersey with her parents. Even though it was a challenge, she learned to speak English during night school classes. She also learned to ride the city bus, even with limited vision. She was eager to get a job and began working at Hot Chops, a facility that prepared food for airlines. She met her future, husband, James McCarthy, at Hot Chops and after a courtship spent practicing Italian and English, they were married at St. Francis Catholic Church, in Newark, NJ, on July 19, 1958. They were married until James’ death on February 20, 2015.

Leda and James were the proprietors of the Y-Go-By restaurant in Mishicot from 1972 to 1984 and they were the proprietors of the Y-Go-By restaurant in Two Rivers, from 1986 to 1994. In an interesting twist, James and Leda bought the restaurant from Joyce Rezek and in retirement, sold it back to her in 1994. Leda enjoyed working with the employees and spending time with all the customers throughout her career at the restaurant. She was an icon, always greeting everyone and sharing jokes and tales of daily life. Jim’s cooking career also took them to Liberia, where the family lived briefly. We also had the gift of spending a small part of our childhood in Italy with many family members and friends. We were very fortunate to have the blessing of Nonna Marina, our maternal grandmother, along with paternal grandparents in our lives.

She enjoyed gambling and gambling road trips, crocheting and her beautiful creations still adorn many homes. She also enjoyed gardening, astronomy, old movies and music. As a child, she sang in the church choir and always enjoyed singing, she had a fantastic singing voice. Leda enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Leda is survived by two daughters: Patricia McCarthy, of Mishicot and her former spouse: Frank Barbuto, Kathleen McCarthy of Kiel and her special friend: Mark Scholz; four grandchildren also survive: Anthony Barbuto, of Mishicot, Savannah Stock of Fond du Lac along with her fiancé, Dylan Guelig, Victoria Stock of Kiel and Dreissen Stock, also of Kiel. She is also survived by a brother-in law: Dennis McCarthy PHD of Northglenn, CO, Donna McCarthy of Grove City, OH. She is further also survived by many nieces and nephews, including a very special sister-in-law: Janice McCarthy of Green Bay and a special niece: Mary McCarthy of Green Bay. Two cousins survive: Alba Centoni and her family of Fucecchio Italy and Marisa Centoni of Viareggio, Italy, along with a close childhood friend: Maria Carla Guidotti, of Lucca, Italy, two cat friends: Marina and Zorro. Many other friends and former employees and loyal customers survive. She is preceded in death by her husband, James McCarthy, her parents, Settimo and Maria Marina Paquinelli, her mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Leo McCarthy and infant twin brothers.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 423 S. Main Street in Mishicot, with the Rev. Christian Raj officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00 am until the time of service. Cremation will have taken place. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Kellnersville location is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mishicot area ambulance services, Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Medical Center staff, along with the in-home physical therapists and the Sharon Richardson Hospice staff members. A special thank you to Kay Braun, who was a friend and not just an employee and a very talented granny sitter: Nathan Edwards.

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