Obituary of Maureen A McLaughlin

Maureen A. (McNamara) McLaughlin, a retired nurse and 62-year resident of Burlington passed away after an extended illness on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. She was 89 years old. Maureen was born and raised in Lowell and the daughter of the late James and Constance (Viau) McNamara. After graduating early from Lowell High School (class of 1952) she went on to earn a nursing degree from Cambridge City Hospital in 1955. For the next 55 years, she dedicated her time and effort to what she did best, providing healthcare to patients at a variety of institutions, including Cambridge City Hospital, Choate Hospital, Glendale Nursing Home, Aberjona Nursing and Rehab, and Kirkwood House, before finally retiring. It was a career that she loved and excelled at, and where she found geriatric care extremely rewarding. She was always available to family, friends, and neighbors who needed medical advice or guidance. Maureen was much appreciated by her patients and well respected by her colleagues.

Maureen dedicated her life to her family, nursing career, and Catholic faith. Home was her oasis and where most family gatherings took place, including many memorable Holidays, backyard cookouts and pool parties with family, friends, and neighbors. As a mother, she wanted her children to have strong values, be self-sufficient, and make the most of their opportunities in life. As a grandmother, all her parenting rules disappeared, and she indulged her grandkids as grandparents are entitled to do.

Maureen and her sister, Patricia, often spent Saturdays shopping together visiting outlets, malls and fairs all over Massachusetts. She taught CCD at St. Malachy’s Church when her children were young and later shared her nursing expertise by leading home health aide certification classes. In her free time, Maureen also enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, going to the movies or a theater show, and having lunch with her daughters. She always looked forward to family time at their condo in Killington, Vermont. She wasn’t a skier but loved watching everyone come down the mountain, or gift shopping at the Country Store and eating at Casey’s Caboose.

Maureen loved to travel and explore, visiting Arizona, Las Vegas, California, Florida, and the Caribbean.  When she retired, she became a member of the Red Hats and enjoyed participating in their monthly lunches, making many new friends along the way. Maureen was truly selfless, and lived her life caring for her family, friends, neighbors, and pets. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her beautiful smile and bottomless heart.

Maureen was the beloved wife of the late Robert F. McLaughlin. Loving mother of Sharon Murray of Burlington, Roberta McLaughlin of Burlington, Daniel McLaughlin of Indiana, and the late Maura Lowe & her surviving husband, James Lowe of Burlington. Beloved sister of James and Dolly McNamara of Lowell, Billy and Connie Kendrick of Atkinson, NH, Patricia Catalano of Lowell, and the late Anita Beland, Ronald McNamara, and Philip McNamara. Proud grandmother to Emily McLaughlin, Sierrah Loveless, Caitlan Freeman, and Bryan Murray. Proud great-grandmother to Jaxton, Macie, and Beckett Freeman. Also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Wednesday, September 18 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, September 19 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Maureen’s name may be made to People Helping People, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803 or www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org. For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net