Carla McCabe

Carla Maxine McCabe passed away peacefully at the age of 83. The eldest child of Woody and Eunice McCabe, Carla was a devoted sister to Jesse, Gail, Joe, Mike and Ann—each of whom she cherished deeply throughout her life. Born in 1942 in Appleton and raised in Little Chute, she spent her early years in Wisconsin before moving with her family across the Midwest, following the path of her father’s work.

After graduating high school in 1960, Carla trained as a lab technician and worked in hospitals, an experience that shaped her strong convictions about healthcare equity. In the 1970s, she became a community health activist, serving underserved communities and eventually becoming president of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Her dedication led to her acceptance into the Harvard Graduate School of Education—a turning point she credited to her work in the field.

In the 1980s and 90s, she expanded her focus on person-centered healthcare to include elders and became the Operations Manager of several assisted living facilities. Carla treated residents as if they were family, inviting them over for holidays and meals with her daughters. She was even known to dash out in the middle of the night to find someone who had wandered off. Carla’s compassion shaped everything she did.

In 1967, Carla married Peter Mpontsikaris (known to his granddaughters as Papou) and they settled in Boston, where their two daughters, Ellen and Amy, were born. Though their marriage ended, they remained close throughout their entire lives and spent time together with their daughters and their families.

Later in life, Carla met Ed Hitchcock, a loving partner, and they married and made a home near the New Hampshire coast. She spent her final years walking the beach, sharing quiet moments with Ed and delighting in her role as a grandmother.

Carla is survived by her daughter Ellen Joan Karis and son-in-law Aaron Bannister; daughter Amy Pellegrini and her significant other Joe Robert; granddaughter Bella Pellegrini Wong and her husband Brian Wong; great-grandson Leo Jaxson Wong; granddaughter Maxine Clara Pellegrini; son-in-law Dan Pellegrini; step-children Kathleen Hitchcock Webb, Ted Hitchcock and Susie Passeri; step-grandchildren Ryan Webb, Trevor Webb, Ben Paolillo, Carson Hitchcock, Caroline Hitchcock, Amanda Santoso and Violet Bannister; her siblings Jesse, Gail, Joe, Mike and Ann and their spouses; her many beloved nieces and nephews and their families; and her lifelong friends Joan Pic, Pat Plimpton-Magee and Kathy Krueger.

Carla will be remembered for her intellect, idealism, curiosity, warmth, compassion, kindness, deep spirituality, and unconditional love for her family and friends. She cherished conversations with the people she loved and had a rare gift for recognizing what made each person truly unique. Carla’s spirit lives on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely. Her mantra was: Peace. Om. Da.

ARRANGEMENTS: A Memorial Service and luncheon will be held on Saturday, September 27th and all friends and family are welcome to attend. Carla’s daughters will share the specific details about this day via email. Feel free to contact Ellen or Amy directly if you would like further information.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that people who wish to make a donation in Carla’s honor to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) or any compassionate organization of their choosing. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Hampton. To view Carla's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit https://csnh.com.