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University of Arizona

FUNERAL HOME

Desert Rose Heather Cremation & Burial

1040 North Columbus Blvd

Tucson, Arizona

Carrol McLAUGHLIN Obituary

McLAUGHLIN, Carrol World-renowned harpist Dr. Carrol McLaughlin passed away from Cancer on March 10, 2018 at her home in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 65. Born in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada on March 29, 1952, Dr. McLaughlin began playing the harp at age six. By age 14, she was the principal harpist for the Calgary Symphony. She graduated with her Master of Music from The Julliard School and her Doctorate in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona under Susann McDonald. While in London, Dr. McLaughlin studied extensively with Russian harpist Maria Korchinska. Dr. McLaughlin has performed in such renowned concert halls around the world as Carnegie Hall in New York and Wigmore Hall in London. Dr. McLaughlin toured the world extensively throughout her 51-year career. Professor of Harp at the University of Arizona for over 30 years, she established the world's largest touring harp ensemble, HarpFusion. She recorded numerous solo and collaborative CD's. She directed the Lyon & Healy Pop & Jazz Harpfest and served on the board of the World Harp Congress for many years. She and her daughter, Kelly directed the St. Paul's Harp Choir. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Cousineau Harris and Andrew Harris; and two grandchildren, Analise and Kolton as well as her first husband, Roger Cousineau and loving companion, Dale Mitchell; and her brother Roy McLaughlin. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the numerous students whose lives she touched so profoundly. Memorial Services for Dr. Carrol McLaughlin will be held at Holsclaw Hall in the School of Music at the University of Arizona on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., and an additional service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 16, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Carrol McLAUGHLIN

23 Entries

Jennifer K. Solis

October 2, 2018

My prayers go up for Roger, Kelly, and the newest additions to their beautiful family. Peace be with you all.

Kate Loughrey

April 27, 2018

had the honor and privilege of studying with Dr. McLaughlin at the University of Arizona. She had a profound influence on my life and career, and I'm so grateful to have had her guidance and advice during college and beyond. I have many fond memories of playing and touring with HarpFusion and I often think of her when teaching my own students. Her energy, passion, and enthusiasm for music and the sheer joy she conveyed in everything she did are what I'll remember most about her.

Best wishes to Roger, Kelly, and family - I wish I could attend the memorial service and will be thinking of you all.

Maurice Sevigny

April 26, 2018

The world has lost a magnificent teacher and a unique musical artist. Her infectious personality and her music will be missed. For my first home social event, as the new dean, I asked Carol to recommend a harpist. As it turned out my request was for the same night as her class so, she eagerly offered to bring all 14 talented students with her. As our donors arrived they were in awe as they were welcomed by a gorgeous visual panorama and performance by those amazing harp students, who surrounded the pool in powder blue chiffon gowns that reflected their spotlit images vibrating off the water. Carol was always full of creativity and usually left an unforgettable memory wherever she or her students performed. May she rest in peace knowing her legacy and life were well-lived.

Maurice Sevigny
Dean Emeritus, The UA College of Fine Arts

charlotte nyborg

April 25, 2018

dearest Carrol!it was lovely to know you!I will always miss you, and you will always be in my heart!yours,always, with all my love, Charlotte Nyborg.

Melanie for Mary Ruth Shropshire

April 22, 2018

One of our dearest memories is of Carrol's heavenly playing at my dad, Don Shropshire's celebration of life ceremony! Carrol's gift of music to the world brought joy and love to so many--heaven on earth!

Heidi Hernandez

April 21, 2018

Dearest Dr. McLaughlin,
We all miss you and will continue to spread the legacy you left in each of us all over the world as we play and teach. You shared your great love of all of us and of music and it is in this joy that we will celebrate your life next week together as a group. Thank you for all that you did for each of us ~ my life became a new beautiful place when I came to study under you. I love you forever!!! ❤

April 16, 2018

Dear friend, you will always be in my music. Love from Luz Marina and Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

April 10, 2018

I was deeply saddened to hear Carol had passed away. I deeply admired Carol's determination, along with Bill McLaughlin's support, to study harp as a young girl living in Grand Prairie, Alberta.At one point, Bit flew Carol to Vancouver twice a month for harp lessons, and later rigged up a caring case for her harp so he could tote it around in his
station wagon.Her grandfather was a legendary horseman. He and his brother Frank rode up to Alberta from Wyoming with a string of horses in the early 20th century.. there was no "quit"in the McLaughlins.
Ken Nichols, Carol's cousin

Donna Smith

April 9, 2018

Carrol's Canadian family would like to express its deepest sympathies to Roger and to Kelly and family. Carrol was an incredible musician and teacher and her bubbly personality endeared her to us all. She has left an incredible legacy with her music, and her passion for life. What a gift she has been!

Sue Buttnor

April 8, 2018

One-of-a-kind; a well-lived, meaningful, life. Heartfelt condolences to Roger and family.

Playing "Take Five" on Harpo Marx's harp

Susan Krysiak

March 29, 2018

The harp world lost a legend, and Carrol's family and friends lost a loving, beautiful lady. It was such a privilege to meet and spend a fun weekend workshop and concerts with Carrol in Naples, FL, 2 years ago. Her talent left me awestruck. May she rest in eternal peace.

Jennifer Lentz Snyder

March 26, 2018

Carrol was and is one of the most amazing women the world has ever seen. Her sparkling blue eyes captivated anyone who had the pleasure of chatting with her. The music that oozed from every pore of her incredible self touched audiences in indescribable ways. Her rollicking sense of fun and adventure made every road trip a blast, as she toured corners of the world free of fear and full of wonder. I was mesmerized by her story telling--about Punto Del Fuego, about China, about India, about parts of the US...even in her home country of Canada she always found new and more beautiful sights, sounds and experiences that she shared with joy to all of us who were fortunate enough to be her friend.

We have a deep and decades long bond, borne of a love of the harp and each other. We shared life's joys and challenges, we shared gigs and harps and strings and slings and arrows. I brought her jammies when she was recovering from surgery, and she sent me the Harp Fusion ensemble (with Roger and Kelly) when she couldn't make it to our wedding.

She loved her family--Bill, Ida and most of all, Kelly, and her grand children--with her whole heart. She loved her students, and strove every moment of every day to be a positive inspiration, to be the best she could possibly be, and to know, as her head hit the pillow, that her boundless energy had made someone better, someone happier, someone more sensitive and intuitive, because she was willing to share her spirit and love.

She taught by example, with equal measures of discipline and heart. And teaching was the core of what she strived to achieve.

Most of all, she was my remarkable, inspirational, wildly funny and always passionate friend. We met in 1978, in Santa Barbara at the first Jazz and Pop festival. We could have been rivals, but instead we were partners. We worked, we schlepped, we shared, we kvetched, we had our own inside jokes. I played for her events, she played for mine. We worked together for many years, sisters from other mothers. Carrol's legacy is her family and her students, who personify what love and hard work can accomplish. Carrol, above all else, was a pure teacher and friend.

I will, for the remainder of my days, be grateful for the endless love, support, encouragement, and honesty that Carrol gave so unconditionally.

I hope she is enjoying a jam session with Bill, as Ida looks on and shares a story or two with those in the audience. I know she's soaring over all of us, surrounding us with love and protecting us with her fierce loyalty and faith. I will keep her lilting laughter, enthusiastic greetings, and incredibly iridescent and dynamic harp playing in my audio memory forever and ever. God bless you, Carrol McLaughlin. You will live in my heart forever.

I will play Waltz for Carrol with a tear in my eye but endless love in my heart...

Always,
Jenny Lentz Snyder

Donna Tsui

March 22, 2018

Dear Dr Carrol . You are the light of the world ! We thank you , love you and miss you so much . But your light and love and joy will continue to shine ... May God always watch over you and your family .

Ruth Furfaro

March 19, 2018

Carrol was one in a million. Her talents were many and she shared so freely. She had played at one of the Children's Memorial Services at University Medical Center, and touched the hearts of many grieving parents, siblings and staff. She was and is greatly loved, and will be greatly missed. She has finished her journey, and now give glory to God in heaven. Prayers for her family, and also her church family at St. Paul's..

Antonio Garcia

March 18, 2018

I had the pleasure of working with Carol when I served as site host for the International Jazz and Pop Harpfest at Northern IL U in May 1993. Her dedication to the event had a profoundly positive impact on the 300 attendees that week. I was honored that she commissioned me to compose several works, of which we wrote when I last corresponded with her in May: "I wish you much peace ahead as you navigate these waters, knowing what a wonderful influence you have been upon so many." Her uplifting spirit will be missed. --Prof. Antonio Garcia, Director of Jazz Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Brian L

March 18, 2018

Carrol was one of my dearest friends and I was blessed to know her and have many wonderful opportunities to perform with her. May she rest in peace and her family continue to be blessed.

Ed Utterback

March 16, 2018

I will miss hearing your harp music but I guess Good needed a harp player in heaven.
It was truly a pleasure to have you as neighbor. You always were in a joyous mood.

March 16, 2018

You were a blessing. You and your music were loved. Rest in peace.
Carolyn Jackson

March 16, 2018

Feeling truly blessed to have known Carrol.
She had profound gift to bring the best out of every one of us that she knew. This is a gift that will live in our hearts forever.

Out thoughts are with Kelly and her beautiful family. God Bless. The Kanak Family

Kim O

March 16, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear this. Though I did not know her personally, I was privileged on several occasions to hear her play - what a gift.

Julie Keyes

March 16, 2018

Our hearts and prayers are with your family during this great loss. Dr. McLaughlin will always be a light passed on to generations of harpists and students. We love her deeply.

March 16, 2018

So very sorry loss for your great in death. Death certainly leaves a deep void in our hearts. Please find hope and comfort knowing that our loving creator will reunite you soon again on a of a loved one Paradise Earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Jean Feeley

March 13, 2018

Made everyone fall in love with the harp. She will be truly missed and is a great loss to the harp world.

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