Ann C Algreen

Ann Cecelia (McLaughlin) Algreen, 81 years old, passed away on Sunday March 8, 2026 in St. Augustine, Florida. Mom was born to William Joseph McLaughlin and Rose Elizabeth O'Keefe McLaughlin on December 30, 1944 in New Jersey. Her parents lived in Laurence Harbor, New Jersey and mom was born in Perth Amboy General Hospital. Mom and her parents, along with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. lived in New Jersey and she enjoyed a solid family life growing up in a strong Irish-Catholic setting. Mom and her parents moved to Florida in 1953, settling in Fort Pierce. She went to school at St. Anastasia Catholic in Fort Pierce, and when family moved again, she finished schooling and graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. Mom always wanted to be a nurse, so she began her degree and graduated from Palm Beach Junior College. She received her State Board of Health nursing license on August 18, 1965. She took continuing education classes at University of Miami satellite schools. Mom worked at health department in West Palm starting out, and then she began working as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm. She was charge nurse on main wing of hospital at 22 years old, and continued as charge nurse in hospital on numerous specialty wings. She dedicated her life to her family and nursing. She and her parents moved to St. Augustine in 1969. First thing they did was becoming members of The Cathedral Basilica Catholic Church, and remained strong in her faith until the very end. She was an RN at both old Flagler Hospital and St. Augustine General while living here, developing many life-long friendships with her colleagues. While living here, mom lost her precious mother in 1973. She met my father, Clayton Algreen, here, and they were married on January 24, 1974. They had a son, John Algreen, in 1975. Mom stopped nursing to take care of family, but always kept her license renewed. She took care of her son, her husband (until his death in 1987) and her father (until his death in 1990). She continued to raise and instill her values, faith and integrity in to her son.

Mom was a very simple person, no pomp or circumstance. She enjoyed being with her family and friends, walking her dogs, crossword puzzles and spending time outside with nature feeding the birds and squirrels as much as she could. She had a group of her nursing friends who would meet once a month for lunch to catch up to celebrate birthdays. She had neighborhood friends she would visit, go for a walk with or head to a bookstore to find a good read. She loved her sports, enjoying baseball, basketball and Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football. She also cheered for Navy Football. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas season.

Mom is a kind, compassionate, loving and faithful woman. She saw, or found, the good in everyone. She took friends to appointments, the store, church, etc. if they needed it. She sacrificed to provide a roof over head, food on the table, electricity on and kept her son in Catholic School K-12. She always remained strong in her faith and family, even when sickness took so much from her. She said the rosary every morning and watched Fr. Mitch's mass on Sunday. Even though confined to a wheelchair and having lost the use of her dominant arm, she cooked, cleaned, did laundry and other household chores for as long as she could. She sent cards to those she knew needed a kind word or thought. Mom is the epitome of strength, faithfulness, kindness, compassion and beauty. She will be remembered for the woman she is and cherished forever.

Mom was preceded in death by her father, William McLaughlin, her mother, Rose McLaughlin and her husband, Capt. Clayton Algreen, and her many pets. She is survived by her loving son John Algreen.

A heartfelt thank you to the Bailey Center Community Hospice and Palliative Care for the kindness and compassion they showed mom. Thank you to Dr. Calain and Dr. Weed for their care and kindness to mom over the years. Thank you to mom's friends, neighbors and everyone else on my side that have shown love and support. Thank you, Mike, for standing by me during this difficult time.

A visitation will be held Monday March 16, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a memorial by the Friends of Nightingale, a Nurse's honor guard will be held at 6:00 PM At Craig Funeral Home. Burial will be held in San Lorenzo Cemetery on Tuesday March 17, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Johns County Veterans Council for the annual Wreaths Across America held every December at the St. Augustine National Cemetery.