Jessica McGrath (Carlin) Richard

Jessica McGrath (Carlin) Richard, 49, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 7, 2025.  She lived most recently in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts and was formerly of Salisbury Center, New York.  Jessica was born on May 6, 1975 in Little Falls, New York, to John R. and Elaine E. (Pratt) Carlin of Salisbury Center, New York.

Jessica attended Dolgeville Central High School and graduated with the Class of 1993. She attended St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in English.  She was active in her sorority, Chi Omega.  While at St. Lawrence, Jess spent a semester studying in London, where she was able to enjoy the sights of the city, weekly theater productions, and had a chance to travel around the United Kingdom and western Europe. It was a special time in her life. 

Jessica married Chad Richard of North Adams, Ma., in a ceremony in 2005 in North Adams, Massachusetts. They had two daughters, Molly and Hadley.

After graduation, Jessica worked several jobs before joining Storey Publishing in North Adams, Massachusetts where her love of books and literature flourished as she worked directly with authors looking to publish their work.   She was an avid reader throughout her life.

Jessica dearly loved her two daughters and built much of her life around raising her family.  She delighted in all of their milestones.  Jessica enjoyed visiting the family hobby farm in Salisbury Center, NY where her girls adoringly referred to their grandparents as Babu and Noni.  They took many long rides in Babu’s John Deere Gator.

Jessica had many friends who remember her as having a “wicked” sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  She met people easily and made them feel welcomed.  She was loyal and protective of her friends and family, and her smile could light up a room.  She never held back with gratitude or love, and people were drawn to her kindness and compassion.

She had a particular knack for keeping house plants, in particular, orchids and a Christmas cactus that had been in the family for four generations.  A lifelong animal lover, she enjoyed the company of her dog, Chloe.

She is survived by her husband Chad, and daughters Molly and Hadley; parents, John R. and Elaine E. Carlin of Salisbury Center, NY; brother John, and sister-in-law Mary of Roanoke, VA.; father-in-law, Wayne Richard and mother-in-law, Marilynne Beaulieu; nephews, Jonathan and Benjamin Carlin of Roanoke, VA, and Tyler Carlin of Chesapeake, VA; cousins, Michael Pratt, Will Pratt and Nathan Pratt of Bernardston, MA; cousins, Daniel “DJ” Carlin of Anthem, AZ, Wendy Brown of Raymore, MO, Cathleen Heenan of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Susan Cottle of Manhattan Beach, CA.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn “Katie” Carlin; maternal grandmother, Margaret Pratt and maternal grandfather, Louis Pratt; paternal grandmother, Esther Carlin, and paternal grandfather, John H. Carlin; uncles, D. William “Bill” Pratt and Daniel Carlin; and a cousin, Gregory Pratt. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Salisbury Community Church, 2545 State Route 29, Salisbury Center, New York 13454 with Pastor Mark Hediger officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends for a reception immediately after the service at the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, 2549 State Route 29, Salisbury Center, New York 13454.  The family is being cared for by locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Salisbury Historical Society Frisbee House at P.O. Box 476, Salisbury Center, New York 13454.

To leave a message of sympathy for the family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for her online memory book.

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