WINTERPORT and BUNNELL, Fla. – Frances D. McLaughlin, 91, beloved wife of Elden H. McLaughlin and loving mother of Eric and Brenda, passed into the arms of the Lord April 30, 2008, at a Florida hospital after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Frances was born July 16, 1916, in Bangor, the eldest daughter of Stanley F. and Effie (Locke) Moran. She grew up in Winterport with multiple brothers and sisters. She met her beloved Bud while he was driving the mail truck from Rockland to Bangor everyday and she would be at the post office waiting for the mail. She graduated from Winterport High School and then attended Maine School of Commerce, now Husson College. She had many jobs through her lifetime. She worked at the Induction Station, Bangor, during World War II with her sister, Josephine, and met her best friend, Lois Bowers, and they remained friends for the rest of her life; she also worked at Bath Iron Works during the war effort with her sister, Opal. She and Bud married in January 1942 and she traveled throughout the country to meet him in ports of call when he came to shore while he was in the Navy in World War II. She worked for Dr. Francis Gregory in Bangor and also at the Star Store. Upon his return from the war, she worked long and hard on the mink farm at Bud’s side, raising mink and cooking for the crew. There was always a home-cooked, delicious meal for the crew every day. Her apple pie and molasses cookies were beyond description. Later, in her 40s, she attended beauty school and became a skilled cosmetologist with her own shop in her home in Winterport, known as the Beauty Nook. She also taught Sunday school for many years. She loved her home, family holidays, butterflies and Bud’s roses, gardening, reading and her tea. Survivors include her devoted husband of 66 years, Elden “Bud”; son, Eric and daughter-in-law, Jeannette, of Florida; daughter, Brenda and son-in-law, Steve Bowden, of Holden; grandson, Peter and Holly of Florida; two adored great-grandchildren, Heather and Erin McLaughlin of Florida; brothers, Ralph Moran and Marjorie of Colorado Springs, Colo., Paul Moran and Marjorie of Valdosta, Ga., and Stanley F. Moran Jr. and Virginia of Medfield, Mass.; sisters, Josephine Moran and Norma Green-acre of Lawrenceville, Ga.; brother-in-law, Montsual Brown of Florida. Also surviving are Bud’s brother, Jack McLaughlin and wife, Kitty, of Stockton Springs; sister-in-law, Merna McLaughlin of Searsport; many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by several brothers and sisters in infancy; and by her sister, Opal Brown. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to Cole Land Transportation Museum, Veterans Services, 359 Perry Road, Bangor, ME 04401.
FRANCES D. MCLAUGHLIN
