Mary Beth McCarthy

Mary Beth McCarthy, 98, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026 at her home in Topeka.

Mary Beth was born August 13, 1927, in Herington, Kansas, to Cecil and Inez (Bitner) Needham. Mary Beth attended St. John’s grade school in Herington, Kansas; Abilene High School; Marymount University; and graduated from Kansas State University in 1949. While in college she met her future husband Daniel F. McCarthy IV. They were married August 21, 1948, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka. They celebrated 54 years together, before his passing in 2003.

Mary Beth took several post graduate courses to obtain her teaching certificate. Some of the accomplishments Mary Beth had were being the lead majorette with the band in Abilene for Dwight D. Eisenhower’s homecoming parade. She debated and won honors; taught elementary school in Abilene and Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka; secondary school in Salida, CO and Hayden High School in Topeka; and college at Allen Community College. While at Hayden HS she took her debate and forensics squads to high levels in multiple years. She was a 3 Diamond member of the National Forensics League. She started the National Catholic Forensics League in the State of Kansas, was moderator for the Salida District, and was on the National Board of NCFL for 8 years. She led the Hayden Debate and Forensics teams to State titles and to National Competition in NFL and NCFL, eventually leading to her selection to the Hayden HS Hall of Fame in December 2023. She received multiple awards while teaching 20 years at Hayden HS. She was the first woman lector at MPH and was active throughout the years taking religious classes.

Survivors include her children, Dannie Knight of Ft. Worth, Texas, Ann Mejia and husband Carlos of Topeka, Kansas, Daniel McCarthy V and wife Tammy of Huntsville, Alabama; grandchildren, Brooke Allen and husband Brad, Taylor Knight and wife Carol, Brian Loach and wife Kristyn, Holly McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy VI, Dustin Mejia, Dylan Mejia, Daniel Mejia; great grandchildren, Evan Allen, Emily Allen, Layla Mejia, Lilli Mejia, and Lana Mejia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 1, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, with a rosary prayed at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 2, at 10:00 am, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions to Hayden High School Foundation or the 95th Division Foundation, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.