Born in Philadelphia and at 16 moved to Atlantic City NJ. Not happy with her parents choice to relocate, mom rode her bike at 16 from Atlantic City to Philadelphia to return to her Bartrum High School to play basketball! Needless to say they brouht her back to Atlantic City where she eventually years later met the love of her life our dad Chris. At 21 they were married and it lasted 49 years until his passing 19 years ago. Her interests were many, including the 6 children that she brought into this world. She loved her job as a Visual Merchandiser for windows at the famous Newberry and Woolworth five and dime stores. Later in life she worked at the Golden Dolphin for her dear family friend Tony Stolfo. Our parents moved to Brigantine, NJ were she lived for 63 years until her passing . Brigantine was in her blood until the end. She was very athletic playing softball for years (even while pregnant), good bowler and the Biggest Philadelphia Eagles Fan! She loved the Island and had many friends for over 60 years. If you were luckly enough to be her friend you were blessed.
Her Family was her life, although she had her hands full with all of us, she took it in stride. When the grandchildren started to arrive it was all over. She was a major part in helping to raise them. Nan and Pop's house was a happy part of their lives. and she loved her son Chris's many, many dogs as they became part of her world.
She was a strong woman that took care of herself when our dad passed....independent and simple in her needs. She loved Bingo and Cards at the Senior Center. She was a past president of the Brigantine Ladies of the Elks, very active in Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Past President of Catholic Daughters.
Six years ago she started to split her time between Brigantine and Venice Florida, where her daughter resided. Although she had health issues that did not slow her down. She became involved in the YMCA, The Venice Theatre, raising orchids and becoming a Volunteer at the Banyan Center. There she would spend endless hours working with dementa patients. She had wonderful neighbors: Linda, Irby, Bill and Jeff that she considered family. Our regret was not fullfilling her dream to see her son's new Bayou City Seafood Resturant in Houston Tx.
Her smirk and smile were part of her that we all loved. Her personality was unique. If you knew her you never knew what she would say, but it was always the truth. Everyone she talked to was called Doll, she said it was a Jersey thing. She survived losing her son and husband but stayed strong for all of us. She was especially proud of her Irish McLaughlin birth name and heritage.
As her daughter I was blessed to spend the past 6 years not only as her daughter but she was a great companion and really my best friend. All of us had different relationships with mom. We will cherish those memories always. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are her legacy. As we now morn the passing of our mom, we choose to also celebrate her 90 years of life and the future and hope she gave her family and friends she left behind. Our parents had a saying between them about their love for each other that is marked on their gravestone....They loved each other THFO....Till Hell Freezes Over..... so...Mom we all love you THFO....