Thelma Cook Mccarty

Thelma Cook McCarty, 90, passed away May 15, 2021 at her home with her son Mike and daughter in-law Becky by her side.

She was born June 24, 1930 in Dingle, Idaho to Ann Lillian Toomer Cook and James Golden Cook. When Mom was two years old, her mother was widowed and they moved to Montpelier, Idaho to a very modest home on Grant Street. Mom picked raspberries, baby sat and later waitressed to help her Mother raise their family. She loved to dance so any dance that she could get a ride to in the Bear Lake area she was there. She met the love of her life Francis (Mack) James McCarty while waitressing in Montpelier. Dad was one of those wild railroaders coming in for dinner at the diner. Their courtship was about a month long when they were married in Grandma Lillian’s home. They then spent a short time in North Shoshone helping Dad’s widowed mom Florence McCarty with her farm. Soon they moved to Pocatello, Idaho where dad worked as a Brakeman- Conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mom worked also as a waitress at Alfords Café, and the Dew Drop In. Mom was very talented with her hands. She landed a job at Fraziers Market in the Bakery, where she learned the talent of frying and icing donuts and decorating cakes. We spent many years watching Mom baking and preparing cakes for all kind of events.

She was a very active member of the Junior Old Times, Ladies Trainmen (UTU) and held several offices as a Does (ladies auxiliary of the Elks), She also was a charter member of the Twisted Stitchers Civitan Club for the past six years. Her hands could create the most fabulous hand dipped cherry chocolates, peanut brittle, English toffee and hand cut and decorated cookies for all holidays. All our birthdays and wedding cakes were her creations. Her talents didn’t end with cooking, she sewed all my dresses, rodeo shirts and whatever we needed. She played a mean game of pinnacle with all of her lady friends and taught all the grandkids how to count by playing 21 black jack. Raspberries and strawberries were her prize crop, she would make the best frozen jam. Dill pickles smelled up the house while they adhered to the brine in large crocks. Sweet pickles kept her floor sticky during the canning season. She could knit, crochet and paint crafts. Her hands never rested. Not to mention her homemade noodles for turkey soup after Thanksgiving. She was my golfing partner. She loved to walk the mall and hold a fishing pole. She and Dad traveled all over the United States in their 5th wheel while pulling a boat.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, sisters La Rue Bailey, Edith Wilson and brother Van Cook, and husband of 59 years Francis McCarty. Surviving family are son Mike James McCarty (Becky) daughter Ann Marie McCarty Pocatello, Idaho. Grand children Hailey Havens (Mike) Pocatello, Kendra Hinojosa Belgrade, Montana. Daniel (Andrea) McCarty Twin Falls, Marianne (Troy) Barfuss Pocatello.
Great Grandchildren Chase Glascock, Riley Glascock, Norah Larson, Reese Ridenbach, Bridger Shoquist, Jonah McCarty, Jorel McCarty, Conor Barfuss, Owen Barfuss, Wrecker Havens, Bella Sully.

Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S 5th Avenue Pocatello, Idaho, 83204. Afterwards, there will be food and a celebration of her life at her home.

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