Obituary of Florence Marie McLaughlin

Her family and friends regret to announce that Florence Marie McLaughlin, aged 94, of Saint John, NB, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2019 at Saint John Regional Hospital. Recently residing at Parkland Saint John, Florence was born in Saint John West, NB, to Joseph Raymond and Kathleen Gertrude (nee Morrissey) McLaughlin. Predeceased by two younger sisters, Kathleen Patricia (McGraw) and Frances Eileen, she is survived by her eldest sister, Mary Michaelena (Saint John). She also leaves behind many adored nieces and nephews (including grand and great), cherished cousins and devoted friends. Florence started her working life as a bookkeeper at John Flood’s and Children’s Aid but was persuaded by a family friend that she was born to be a teacher. She earned her certificate part time at UNB and taught briefly in Perth-Andover, but her home-away-from-home became Saint John Vocational School where she taught and became Head of the Commercial Department until she retired in 1990. To this day, she couldn’t walk out of her door without running into “someone from school” and she was always pleased to do so. She was thrilled to learn of past students’ successes in life. Florence caught the travel bug early; visiting family in PEI and, by train, Boston. As she grew, her horizons expanded culminating in two trips that circumnavigated the globe. One of her favourite destinations was the Emerald Isle and whenever anyone asked her to join them on a trip there, she was ready to go in a heartbeat. And, when not travelling, she spent innumerable hours watching ships coming and going from her lofty, cliff-top perch on Lancaster Street, learning about nautical flags and ships’ registrations. Locally and internationally, Florence was always giving and working with charities. In recent years, she was particularly supportive of Our Lady of Assumption Building Fund, Rocmaura Nursing Home and Romero House. Donations, in remembrance, would be welcomed. Arrangements are under the care of Castle Funeral Home; but, at her request, there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial takes place at noon on Wednesday, August 7, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Saint John with a reception to follow at Castle Fallsview Reception Centre. Florence will rest with her parents and sister at Holy Cross Cemetery.