Sue M. McLaughlin

Mystic - Sue M. McLaughlin, 85, passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, with her family by her side.

She was born in Wyandotte, Mich., the daughter of the late James Patrick and Dorothy (Cox) Howard. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Edward L. McLaughlin, for 53 years until his death in 2005. The two graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Wyandotte, Class of 1948.

An accomplished artist, she enjoyed working in both oils and watercolors. She also had a wide variety of other interests including furniture making, cooking, entertaining and reading, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She retired after spending many years in real estate and property management.

She was generous, kind and caring, always with a quick wit, a ready smile, an open ear and a fresh batch of her famous oatmeal cookies.

Sue is survived by her two sons, Michael P. McLaughlin, DVM and his wife, Cindy, of Milford, Mich. and Terrence E. McLaughlin and his wife, Mary-Jane, of Stonington; her grandchildren, Sean McLaughlin of Wilmington, N.C., Erin Ortiz and her husband, Camilo, of Monterey, Calif., Brendan McLaughlin of Raleigh, N.C., Katherine McLaughlin of Boston, Mass. and Kristen McLaughlin of Milford, Mich.; and her great-granddaughter, Sophia Ortiz, of Monterey. She is also survived by four sisters, Mary Simmons of Wyandotte, Joan Kopke of Grosse Ile, Mich., Nancy Ausum of White Lake, Mich. and Judy Szejda of Thornton, Colo.

She was also predeceased by four brothers, James, John, William and Robert Howard; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Kären N. McLaughlin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at St. Mary Church, Stonington Borough.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 27 Chase St., Pawcatuck, CT 06379.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, New London.

To leave a condolence message, please visit Sue's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.