Obituary of Lynn Cowan McCarthy

Lynn Cowan McCarthy, 75, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015 in Frankfort. She was the daughter of the late Commander John Linus McCarthy, Sr., D.D.S., U.S. Navy Dental Corps and Lena Rosebud Cowan McCarthy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, John Linus McCarthy, Jr. and her sister, Jacqueline McCarthy Ransdell. She is survived by her niece, Jennifer Lynn Ransdell Adams of Fayetteville, North Carolina; her nephew, Jefferey Ernest Ransdell of Raleigh, North Carolina; two great-nephews, Shane Spencer Adams and Cade Conner Adams; and numerous cousins. Born in Panama City, Panama on March 18, 1940 where her parents were on duty, Lynn grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. She earned her B.A. degree in Sociology from Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington) in 1961 and Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1969. Before moving to Kentucky in 1962, she was a social worker with the former Social Service Bureau in Norfolk. She later retired a 30-year employee of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, serving in the former Dept. of Child Welfare, Bureau of Social Services, Cabinet for Human Resources, and the Kentucky Dept. for Libraries and Archives. In her career, Lynn was a Public Assistance Worker; Child Welfare Worker; statewide Training Specialist, Training Administrator, and Protective Services Consultant; and Grants and Contracts Administrator. After her retirement, she established her own genealogical research business which she operated for 11 years. Lynn was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. She was a Kentucky Colonel, listed in numerous Marquis Who's Who publications, and was a member of many historical and genealogical societies and organizations. University of Kentucky basketball was her passion; she loved to travel both worldwide and in the United States; and she was an avid reader, bird-watcher, and gardener. In accordance with Lynn's wishes, there will be no services in Frankfort. Inurnment will take place in the Highland Memorial Gardens, Hertford County, North Carolina at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2015 with a brief graveside service. Rogers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions in Lynn's memory are suggested to the Powellsville Baptist Church Music Fund, P.O. Box 5, Powellsville, NC 27967; the University of Kentucky Arboretum, 500 Alumni Drive, Lexington, KY 40503; or the Hancock Wildlife Foundation - Live Streaming Eagle Cams, Unit 104, 4550 Birch Bay-Lynder Road, Blaine, WA 98230.