Dr. Roberta Sandra McCarthy

Dr. Roberta Sandra McCarthy, also known as Cookie, passed away peacefully on March 9th in the early morning hours. She is survived by her only child, Melanie-Jo Frick 48 (McCarthy), her son-in law, Jared Andrew Frick 48, and her grandsons who were her “heart and soul” Michael Jared Frick 19 and Matthew Andrew Frick 14. She is also survived by her devoted standard poodle, Sienna 9, who undoubtedly gave her the strength and desire to live.

Cookie was born on February 19th, 1942 in Philadelphia to Isabelle Adeline Latshaw (Caporale) and Burton Franklin Latshaw. She was a long time resident of the Overbrook area growing up on Marlyn Road. Cookie would often share fond memories of her time on Marlyn Road and would reminisce of the neighborhood friends she made along the way.

After attending Cassidy Elementary School, Cookie joined the Friends’ Central School community where she graduated from in 1959. She kept in touch with friends she made during her years at FCS even towards her final days on earth. After graduating from FCS she went on to study Business at Temple University. Shortly after graduating from Temple with a degree in Business, Cookie knew her calling was in the field of Education, specifically working with young children. Cookie went on to get a degree in Education from Antioch College and began working for the School District of Philadelphia as a Head Start Teacher. During her time in the School District of Philadelphia, she made close friendships and had an even bigger impact on the lives of the children she served on a daily basis. She kept in touch with many former students throughout the years and even served as a matron of honor to a former student in her early years. Eventually, Cookie went on to study Educational Administration and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned her Ed.D. Her time spent in NYC while pursuing her degree were some of the best years of her life! She would often share with anyone that would listen that NYC made her feel alive and made her feel like she belonged there. Due to this, Cookie would bring her daughter, Melanie, to NYC every winter where they would spend a weekend and attend a Broadway musical, visit the christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza and of course, have dinner in Little Italy.

Although education was so very important to Cookie, there was simply nothing more important to her than her daughter, Melanie, her son-in-law, Jared, and her grandsons, Michael and Matthew. Cookie instilled the love of learning and the desire and passion to always thrive for more knowledge and to never settle for the unknown or status quo into all that knew her. “No one can ever take education away from you” was a phrase often stated by Cookie. Education was knowledge and knowledge was power. Cookie ensured that her grandsons loved learning as much as she did!

After retiring from the School District of Philadelphia, Cookie spent time enjoying her favorite role of all: Nana! Spending time with Michael and Matthew gave her such joy and excitement! She looked forward to picking Michael up from elementary school and taking him to all of the local fire stations and would convince the firefighters that it was Michael’s birthday! Likewise, she looked forward to hanging out with Matthew either on the sofa talking about everything under the sun or teaching him all about Albert Einstein and the theory or relativity. Knowing how important Education was to Cookie, it brought her great pride when Michael graduated from Saint Joseph’s Prep in the Spring of 2023 and joined Penn State University main campus in the Fall of 2023. Likewise, it brought her great pride when she learned that Matthew would be joining The Shipley School in the Fall of 2023. Both Michael and Matthew know their Nana will be with them every step of the way along their educational journey because after all, they were her “heart and soul.”

My mother was a vibrant soul who lived life to the fullest! I know my son’s have gained an amazing guardian angel, however, I have lost my mom and will cherish her forever!

A private ceremony will be held for immediate family only.

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