Amanda Marjorie McLaughlin

GENEVA- Amanda Marjorie McLaughlin, 50, passed away on March 8, 2023 in Chicago after a seven–month struggle with cancer.

Amanda was born on March 29, 1972 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, daughter of Cherry Rahn McLaughlin and Kirk McLaughlin. She moved to Geneva, N.Y. in 1981 with her mother Cherry Rahn and step-father, Steven Lee. During her school years, Amanda studied violin and was active in school and community theater. After a Theater Arts degree from Indiana University, she moved to Chicago where she was an actor, trained in circus arts, performed and taught violin in the city schools, and with her partners ran a circus production company for twelve years. Amanda performed as an aerialist and acrobat in many venues, including at state fairs, colleges, on stage, on Navy Pier, and toured with Roberts Brothers Three Ring Circus. She also worked in a law office and later retrained with a degree in cosmetology, working as a hair stylist in a salon.

Amanda was an active member of two Chicago community orchestras. The Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra featured a memorial to her in their concert on March 11. For many years, Amanda fostered and nursed sick cats as a volunteer for the Humane Society.

Amanda is survived by her partner, Hyshon Gaines, and by her mother Cherry Rahn, step-father Steven Lee and her father, Kirk McLaughlin. Also by her sisters Charlotte Rahn-Lee (Rebecca Fullan) and Lilah Rahn-Lee (Joseph Shih), her uncle John Rahn (Suzanne Rahn), and aunts Patsy Rahn and Candida Lee. Also by her nephews David and James Shih, and niece Iris Fullan-Lee.

Amanda was a very brave, dedicated and compassionate person. She will be sorely missed. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Geneva Theater Guild, the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, or the Humane Society.