Frances Pegnam McCarthy, 85, of Duxbury died August 4.   She was a graduate of Mount St. Vincent College, N.Y. and began her career as a radio broadcaster at WBET in Brockton.  She was an active member of Bay Players Community Theater, a Duxbury Library Trustee and a lector at Holy Family Church.  

Mrs. McCarthy was the  wife of the late William J. McCarthy.  She leaves her sons, William F. McCarthy and his wife MaryAnn of Duxbury, Richard J. McCarthy and his wife Lorraine of Kingston, Francis S. McCarthy and his wife Marcia of Venice, Fla., Paul J. McCarthy and his wife Michele of Norwell; her daughters, Christina M. Doran and her husband Francis of Duxbury,  Ann McCarthy-Joyce and her husband Paul of Cumberland, R.I., and Julie M. Ferguson and her husband John of Sandwich; her son in law, the late David A. Keir; a brother in law, Edward R. McCarthy of Plymouth; a sister in law,  Nancy Pegnam of Carver; 16 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and  many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was celebrated at Holy Family Church, Duxbury.  Burial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jonathan Rizzo Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 412, Kingston MA, 02364.