Ellen M.S. Mclaughlin

1934 - 2022

Ellen M.S. Mclaughlin
October 12, 1934 ~ January 23, 2022
Resident of Saratoga & Los Gatos
Ellen Marr Schnake McLaughlin, 87, passed away peacefully from old age on January 23, 2022 at her home in Los Gatos, California, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her cherished husband of over 57 years, Glen McLaughlin; her two children, Helen Elizabeth McLaughlin O'Rourke of Boston, Massachusetts and Glen Wallace McLaughlin of San Carlos, California; her son-in-law Brian James O'Rourke, Jr. and her four grandchildren: Brian James O'Rourke III, Ellen Claire O'Rourke, Sophia Rochelle McLaughlin, and Willow Glen McLaughlin. She was befittingly called Dear-Ma by her loved ones, each of whom she adored.
Ellen treasured family, friends, traveling, eating good food in good company, poetry, novels, and spending time in her garden. With her quick wit and delightful sense of humor, she was a natural storyteller. The playful, soft burr she added while reading the poems of Robert Burns always delighted her audience at Burns Night and the voices she created while reading books to her children and students instilled in many a love of literature. Ellen loved all creatures great and small and there were many favored cats and dogs along the way. At her longtime home in Saratoga, she trapped-and-neutered the local cat colony and kept them well fed, along with the occasional possum, skunk, and raccoon. Having honed her cooking skills while stationed with the Air Force in France, Ellen was a true chef and delighted in being a warm and gracious hostess to friends and family. She was an avid gardener who cultivated many a beautiful landscape and graciously accepted the occasional thorn prick from her beloved roses.
Ellen was the youngest of three daughters born to Clifford and Helen (Marr) Schnake on October 12, 1934, in Canton, Ohio. She is predeceased by her parents and both sisters, Isabelle Schnake Fouch and Marion Schnake Lloyd. A graduate of McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, Ellen earned her B.Ed. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1955 and her M.Ed from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1964. She taught school in Akron, Ohio; Portland, Oregon; and overseas with the Air Force in Japan, Scotland, Newfoundland, and France. After receiving her master's degree, she taught Deaf Education in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the Berkeley School for the Deaf until her second child was born. Throughout her own children's early education, Ellen was very active in the Parent Teacher Association and elementary school support programs.
Ellen met her life's love, Glen McLaughlin, while teaching at RAF Prestwick in Scotland and married him on August 29, 1964, in Canton, Ohio. The next day they packed up Ellen's VW Bug and moved to California, where they spent most of their married life. Ellen and Glen traveled the world together. She visited six continents and 121 countries and inspired a thirst for adventure and sense of discovery in her children and grandchildren. Aside from her time teaching abroad with the Air Force, Ellen and Glen lived in London, England while Glen was an officer of Memorex Corporation. This time in England sparked in Ellen a lifelong love of all things British, particularly teatime and English gardens.
Ellen believed in giving back and being grateful for all her blessings. Her main charity was the Sovereign Order of St. John, which is dedicated to supporting social and healthcare needs. During her many years of service she rose to the highest rank and organized numerous social functions for the Order.
Ellen will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. Love aye.
Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!
– Robert Burns
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, with checks made out to SOSJ and sent to 1446 Bretmoor Way, San Jose, CA 95129.


View the online memorial for Ellen M.S. Mclaughlin