Lori S. McCahill

East Falmouth-Lori S. McCahill (Rogers) of East Falmouth MA passed away on July 20, 2021, after a long battle with many medical issues.  She was the wife of Brendan E. McCahill, her devoted and beloved husband also of E. Falmouth.  She was born on the 24th of November, 1954, on Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The family moved to Falmouth in 1961 and Lori went on Alaska during her first marriage with her young children, Danny and Heidi Pedersen. She relocated back to Falmouth in 1985 as a single mother to be in the loving company of her mother, Linda Cole Whitney (dec. July 2011) and stepfather Geoffrey G. Whitney Jr. (dec. December 2001) of Woods Hole.

Lori worked tirelessly in the service industry to support her two young children. One of her proudest moments was signing the mortgage for her own home on Gage Drive on the Acapesket Peninsula. It was there, she with the help of Brendan McCahill created a small Eden of dahlias, roses and all things of floral and garden glory.

Lori went on to pursue a career in dental hygiene graduating at the top of her class as well as her region. She was ecstatic when she joined the Vineyard Haven practice of Dr. Sanford (Sandy) Nadelstein, DDS. Lori absolutely loved her work, coworkers and her patients. She couldn’t have been more thrilled when her oldest granddaughter Emily Pedersen followed in her footsteps and became a dental hygienist.

 During her time as a hostess, Lori caught the eye of Brendan E. McCahill at the Captain Kidd in Woods Hole in 1986. They not only “got” each other’s sense of humor, but after only a few dates had stolen each other’s hearts. Their marriage took place many years later as Lori had so much, she wanted to accomplish on her own. Their love and faith in each other never wavered. When they married in June of 1997 they decided to build “their” house in East Falmouth on Nickey Lane; and there, began another Eden.

Lori was a dangerous woman when she had a garden catalog in her hands. “The gardens are incomplete!” Lori’s illness took a great toll, but her vision always showed through in the love in her cooking, the beauty in her gardening, the design in her sewing, the creativity in all her writing, drawing and so much more. Most of all, it was in the grace with which she carried herself, poised, beautiful and humble. Lori and Brendan had a loving bond that was enviable, their care, concern and love for each other was unquestionable. Brendan and Lori loved each other through thick and thin and all medical disasters one could imagine. Never divided, they were a team, always in love.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Heidi May Pedersen, and four grandchildren who lit up her world, Emily Pedersen, Felix, Lily, and Arah Chmielowski. She also leaves behind siblings Eric, Polly, and Jamie Rogers as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.  Lori was predeceased by her son, Dan Howard Pedersen II (dec. August 1987).  Her brother, Fritz, passed away in 1998.

 Lori will be interred privately at the Church of the Messiah, Woods Hole Village Cemetery. There will be a public memorial and celebration of her life at her husband, Brendan McCahill’s family home, “The Windmill,” 1094 Shore Road, Cataumet, on August 14, 3-6 pm.  To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com

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