Freda Joan Mally was born in Steelton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1911. Her parents were Milan/Maldin (Mladen)[1880-1949], and Mildred (Milica Milovanov) [1880-1947] Mally, both of whom emigrated from Yugoslavia in 1904.

The family eventually settled in Midland, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Freda graduated from Lincoln High School in January 1930.

At age 25, Freda, a resident of Pittsburgh, married Daniel McCarthy, 25, also from Pittsburgh. They were married on April 15, 1936 in Brooke County, West Virginia.

Freda McCarthy died of Tuberculosis Meningitis in Pittsburgh on September 23, 1938. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh.