Elizabeth Aspland McCarthy

August 31, 1932 - September 9, 2015

Resident of Lafayette, California

Beloved Elizabeth Aspland McCarthy, “DeeDee” passed away peacefully with her children by her side on the evening of September 9th, 2015.

Elizabeth was born in Oakland, California to Timothy and Edna McCarthy. She grew up on 64th Avenue with five siblings.

She graduated from Holy Names high school and attended the University of California at Berkeley where she met her husband John Sword. They loved playing golf together, sometimes at Lake Chabot golf course, where Liz had her first job. Together they raised two sons, Mark and Mike. They lived in Oakland, San Diego, and Kansas City together.

After John’s untimely death, Elizabeth moved back home, where she worked tirelessly raising the two boys. She worked for the Electric Corporation in Oakland, where the owner, Roy Griffith, in 1962, recognized her “... possession of high intelligence, fine character and great personal charm…” Attributes recognized in that letter of recommendation that resonated though out her life.

Liz married Richard Tonge, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and Littleton, Colorado, and had two additional children, Maureen and Richard. Her culinary skills were brought to the forefront, as well as her decorative skills. Elizabeth expressed herself in re-furnishing antique furniture, redecorating, and collecting a treasure trove that would precede her.

Elizabeth moved back to the bay area in the mid 70’s and partnered with her late husband, John Hasson, together they raised the children in Lafayette, CA. She opened a restaurant, the Cookhouse Café in Moraga, and managed several thrift stores in Oakland---notably the Elegant Scarecrow on Grand Avenue, benefitting Saint Vincent de Paul, and The Shop in downtown Oakland for the Jr. League of Oakland-East Bay. She touched many lives through the work she chose. Her generosity extended to all---including those struggling, the artists, and the homeless. Her smile, compassion, and humor were always available to all willing to receive her gifts.

All throughout her career, her work ethic brought her much success, responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference in her community. She touched many lives with her never-ending generosity, care and compassion for family and strangers alike.

Her generous, giving spirit, radiant smile, and infectious laugh will be missed by all of those who knew her.

Elizabeth is survived by her four children, Mark, Michael, Maureen and Richard, her 2 grandchildren, Matthew and Luke, and her 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Maurice McCarthy, of Oakland California. Her dear siblings Timothy McCarthy, Helen Owens, Terry Fazakerley, and John McCarthy have preceded her.