Mary Catherine (McCarthy) Forshay of Melrose, passed away at her home on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 surrounded by her loving family and many close friends. She was only 56 years old. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on April 19, 1952 to the late Francis J. & Margaret Mary (O'Connor) McCarthy, she was raised in Allston. A 1970 graduate of St. Mary's School of Brookline, she went on to graduate from Newton Wellesley School of Nursing in 1973 as a registered nurse. Mrs. Forshay worked for the Franciscan Children's Hospital of Brighton, Spaulding Rehabilitation Center of Boston for 4 years; she was a visiting nurse for Whitten Hospital of Everett for a few years and finally a Pediatric Nurse with the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston for 8 years. She was proud of being a nurse and enjoyed her work. She was an advocate for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and worked toward helping people understand the disease. She fought for over 4 years living with this disease and continued through fund raising to help others cope with ALS. Mary loved her husband, children, family & close friends. She enjoyed shopping, flip flops, York Beach Maine, traveling and cruising, crossword puzzles, reading and all Boston Sports Teams. She was also a breast cancer survivor and a Melrose resident for 30 years. She was the devoted wife of Robert C. Forshay, with whom she shared 30 years of marriage. Loving mother of Christopher R. & his fiance Tracy L. Gallagher of Melrose, Matthew F. & Michael P. Forshay, also of Melrose. Caring sister of Patricia M. Pugsley & her husband Stan of CT, Eileen A. McCarthy & Stephen Toti of Melrose & Francis G. McCarthy & his wife Debbie of Allston. Special sister-in-law of Lee A. Forshay & his wife Evelyn of NH & Lawrence J. Forshay of Jamaica Plain. Much loved daughter-in-law of Lee & Evelyn Forshay of Medford. Also survived by nephews Gerard, David & Mark Pugsley and close friends Mary Lou Kelleher & her husband Kevin & family of Stoneham. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Sat., July 12th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 10AM. Family & friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours Fri. 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Arrangements by The Gately Funeral Home of Melrose. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to ALS Association 75 McNeil Way Suite 310 Dedham, MA 02026 or St. Mary's School 46 Myrtle St., Melrose, MA 02176. For directions or to sign Mary's guest book, please visit www.gatelyfh.com