Obituary for Josephine M McLaughlin (O'Neill)
Josephine Marie O’Neill McLaughlin passed away peacefully on April 6, 2021 surrounded by the light and love of her family. She was 88 years old.
Josephine was born to Annie Hammond and Thomas O’Neill in Jersey City, NJ. She attended St. Michael’s High School where she met the love of her life, Jim McLaughlin, whom she married and spent 71 years with. Together, they raised 10 children. Josephine fervently supported her children in all their varied endeavors and through their many adventures.
Josephine lived a great life full of love, grace, and compassion. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt.
Josephine and Jim lived in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin for 6 years following a career move. However, family and New Jersey called, and the McLaughlin’s moved back and bought their first home in Spring Lake in 1963.
Josephine’s Irish heritage was important to her. She was fond of tea time and scones with her sisters and brother.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed walking “the boards,” which earned her the nickname, “Scooter.” For 25 years, Josephine looked forward to an annual month-long trip to Barbados with Jim, family, and friends. Additionally, Josephine spent time traveling throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For much of her life, Josephine enjoyed sitting at the breakfast table watching the children bustling in and out of St. Catharine’s School. What Josephine savored most of all, however, was spending time with her children and grandchildren. “Nana,” could often be found pulling her grandchildren in the green wagon, at the park feeding ducks, or collecting shells and sea glass on the beach. The grandchildren all looked forward to having lemonade stands at Nana and Pop Pop’s house.
Josephine’s sense of humor was infectious, and she had a knack for finding a silver lining in any situation. Josephine had a way of making each and every person feel special and loved. Her beautiful smile and laughter will always be remembered.
Josephine is predeceased by her parents, Annie Hammond and Thomas O’Neill; her siblings, Anne Faltin; Patrick O’Neill; Elizabeth Morgan; and Mary Smith; and her sons-in-law, John C. Vie Brock and Dennis Cafiero.
Josephine is survived by her husband, Jim McLaughlin; her sisters, Kathleen Valent and Fran Perna; her children, Kathleen Lutz (Harry Lutz); James B. McLaughlin (Gail W. McLaughlin); Christine Vie Brock; Cecelia McLaughlin; Patrick McLaughlin (Debbie McLaughlin); Elizabeth McLaughlin Corbett (Michael Corbett); Mary McLaughlin Wilford (Burke Wilford); Kevin McLaughlin (Jill McLaughlin); John McLaughlin (Kelly McLaughlin); and David McLaughlin; 27 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild, all of whom she adored.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, April 9th from 6:00-9:00 pm at O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall. NJ Covid regulations will be observed. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 10:30 am at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. Live-streaming of the mass is available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/93d8764d
In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s memory can be made to St. Catharine’s School, 215 Essex Ave. Spring Lake, NJ 07762.
Josephine was born to Annie Hammond and Thomas O’Neill in Jersey City, NJ. She attended St. Michael’s High School where she met the love of her life, Jim McLaughlin, whom she married and spent 71 years with. Together, they raised 10 children. Josephine fervently supported her children in all their varied endeavors and through their many adventures.
Josephine lived a great life full of love, grace, and compassion. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt.
Josephine and Jim lived in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin for 6 years following a career move. However, family and New Jersey called, and the McLaughlin’s moved back and bought their first home in Spring Lake in 1963.
Josephine’s Irish heritage was important to her. She was fond of tea time and scones with her sisters and brother.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed walking “the boards,” which earned her the nickname, “Scooter.” For 25 years, Josephine looked forward to an annual month-long trip to Barbados with Jim, family, and friends. Additionally, Josephine spent time traveling throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For much of her life, Josephine enjoyed sitting at the breakfast table watching the children bustling in and out of St. Catharine’s School. What Josephine savored most of all, however, was spending time with her children and grandchildren. “Nana,” could often be found pulling her grandchildren in the green wagon, at the park feeding ducks, or collecting shells and sea glass on the beach. The grandchildren all looked forward to having lemonade stands at Nana and Pop Pop’s house.
Josephine’s sense of humor was infectious, and she had a knack for finding a silver lining in any situation. Josephine had a way of making each and every person feel special and loved. Her beautiful smile and laughter will always be remembered.
Josephine is predeceased by her parents, Annie Hammond and Thomas O’Neill; her siblings, Anne Faltin; Patrick O’Neill; Elizabeth Morgan; and Mary Smith; and her sons-in-law, John C. Vie Brock and Dennis Cafiero.
Josephine is survived by her husband, Jim McLaughlin; her sisters, Kathleen Valent and Fran Perna; her children, Kathleen Lutz (Harry Lutz); James B. McLaughlin (Gail W. McLaughlin); Christine Vie Brock; Cecelia McLaughlin; Patrick McLaughlin (Debbie McLaughlin); Elizabeth McLaughlin Corbett (Michael Corbett); Mary McLaughlin Wilford (Burke Wilford); Kevin McLaughlin (Jill McLaughlin); John McLaughlin (Kelly McLaughlin); and David McLaughlin; 27 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild, all of whom she adored.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, April 9th from 6:00-9:00 pm at O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall. NJ Covid regulations will be observed. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 10:30 am at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. Live-streaming of the mass is available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/93d8764d
In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s memory can be made to St. Catharine’s School, 215 Essex Ave. Spring Lake, NJ 07762.