Mary Denise "Denny" (McCarthy) Glidden

HOLYOKE:  Mary Denise “Denny” (McCarthy) Glidden, age 77, of Holyoke, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020 at the Holyoke Medical Center.  Denny was born in Northampton, the daughter of the late John B. and Mary C. (Finn) McCarthy and was a graduate of the former St. Michael’s High School in Northampton and the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Holyoke.  Denny worked as a Registered Nurse for decades, and considered herself a nurse to the end.  She worked first for Dr. David Hemphill, followed by a 20-year career as an addiction nurse at the Methadone Clinic at the Providence Hospital. Denny lived in Holyoke for more than 44 years and was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Parish.  She was a longtime member and Union Representative of the Massachusetts Nurse’s Association. Denny was the widow of Neil Richard Glidden (“Hinkle”), who died in December of 1996.  They had a wonderful marriage. She is survived by two daughters, Kelly A. O’Connor and her husband Thomas of Southampton, MA and Dr. Julia Glidden-Murphy and her husband Colin Murphy of Carrabassett Valley, ME; four grandchildren, Kathryn Finn O’Connor, Caroline Mary O’Connor, Thomas Neil O’Connor and Alexander James Murphy-Glidden; a brother, John P. McCarthy of Bemidji, MN and his wife Kathy; a sister, Judy Pelczarski of Westfield; sister-in-law Heleane Glidden of Holyoke; Marianna Glidden of Cape Cod, MA, and multiple nieces and nephews whom she adored: Robert Pelczarski of Paxton, Kate Pelczarski Ritchie of Westfield, Sean McCarthy of Bemidji MN, Casey McCarthy of Bemidji, MN, David Glidden  of Wilbraham, Lisa Glidden Wykowski of South Hadley, Beth Glidden Bartley of Mt Vernon NY, Kristen Glidden Krestik of Eastchester NY.

Denny’s life cannot be honored without mention of several loved ones she truly adored and who predeceased her; including Robert (“Perch”) Pelczarski; lifelong best friend Patricia (“Patsy”) Glidden; Charles “Fred” Glidden; William Glidden; Chuck Glidden, Laura Glidden Kane, and David Pelczarski. A true Holyoker, Denny loved and was loved by a larger extended network of dear friends including Anthony and Maureen Maloney and family, Patrick and Sandra McGeer and family, Christine St. Germain and family; Geno and Betsy Greaney and family; and James and Barbara Ripa and family. Denny lived a rich, full life. Her Christmas Eve parties will be remembered by all.  As will her zest for nursing, nurse advocacy, family and friends.  She was a wonderful listener and fiercely loyal to her “people.” Mindful that this is a difficult time to honor funeral traditions, Denny’s family would like to offer two options for paying respects: (1) Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street. Masks and social distancing are required.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church, Holy Cross Avenue, Holyoke.  Private burial will follow. (2) a Celebration of Life gathering in an outdoor, socially distanced setting at Kelly O’Connor’s home in Southampton will take place on August 22, 2020.  All are welcome to attend any or all of the above. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Denny to Autism Speaks, 85 Devonshire Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 60 Walnut Street, #102, Wellesley, MA  02481. 

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