Sponsored Sponsored content Lara McCarthy, 56, of Hellertown (Obituary Brought to You by Heintzelman Funeral Home)

Lara McCarthy (1969 – 2026)

Lara McCarthy, age 56, of Hellertown, formerly of Mountainhome, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born on Dec. 13, 1969, in East Orange, N.J., to Lawrence Edward Sr. and the late Mary (Collins) McCarthy. She was a member of the Saucon Valley Education Association, including serving as past president. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marywood University in Scranton, where she met her wife of 33 years, Jennifer, and later continued her education, obtaining multiple master’s degrees and certifications at Barry University, Florida Atlantic University and Moravian University. Lara was a gifted educator, a passionate advocate for literacy and a caring presence in the lives of so many students and her colleagues. Her love of reading, her commitment to children and the relationships she built through the Saucon Valley School community will leave a lasting legacy. Lara’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, especially her daughter Samantha and four-legged children Cooper, Norman and Oliver.

SURVIVORS

Survivors include her spouse, Jennifer Munson McCarthy of Hellertown; her daughter, Samantha McCarthy of Hellertown; her father, Lawrence McCarthy Sr. of Bethlehem; a brother, Lawrence Jr., and his wife, Agnes McCarthy, of Poland; a sister, Jennifer Chelel, and her husband, Matt, of Rockaway, N.J.; a nephew and niece, Luke and Maggie Chelel, both of Rockaway, N.J.; in-laws, Linda Terry and David Utz of Bethlehem; and beloved friends, Viv and Gerry Demko of Hellertown.

SERVICES

Saucon Valley students and families are invited to pay their respects from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, 326 Main St., Hellertown. School counselors will be available for students during this time. The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will also receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Interment at The Union Cemetery of Hellertown will conclude services. Online expressions of sympathy may be shared at Heintzelmancares.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samantha’s education fund. Please make checks payable to Samantha McCarthy c/o Heintzelman Funeral Home, 326 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.