LINCOLN – Marie R. McLaughlin, 92, peacefully went home to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, Carroll, June 19, 2006, in Lincoln. She was born July 25, 1913, in Highland Falls, N.Y., the only child of Charles Elmer and Rose Marie (Kirk) Thornton. She attended elementary school in Topsfield, and enjoyed knowing many of her aunts, uncles and cousins there. She attended high school in Brighton, Mass., graduating in 1930. She was editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, which she named the “Imp” after a statue of an imp brought to her from a cathedral in England by an aunt of hers. Her passion for writing was evidenced throughout her life as she often jotted down bits of poetry and short stories. Marie and Carroll met at Lower Sysladobsis Lake where they both worked for the Dennisons at Dobsis Club, “The Locks.” They were married in March 1937. When Dobsis Club closed, they settled at the head of Dobsis Lake and lived there until moving to Springfield. After the death of her husband, Marie moved to Lincoln and when her health failed, became a resident of Colonial Acres Nursing Home, where she resided for the past two years. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Marie had a great passion for life and her nieces and nephews enjoyed hearing her relate tales of her experiences. She dearly loved nature and found her riches in the peeping of the frogs, a sparrow’s song, the call of the loon, or a canoe ride on the lake by silvery moonlight. She had a knack for training creatures of the wild to eat from her hand. She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll in 1995; her parents; sisters-in-law, Susan Curtis, Dorothy Phillips, and Velma Downs; brothers-in-law, Clifford and George McLaughlin. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Laura Christensen and Raymond of Brewer, Barbara Tourtillotte and Randall of Howland, Beryle McLaughlin of Olamon and Rebecca McLaughlin of Lincoln. She will be fondly remembered by several nephews, nieces and cousins. “Time takes away the edge of grief, but memories will turn back every leaf.” A memorial Mass will be celebrated 1 p.m. July 11, at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, with the Rev. Roland Couture presiding. Interment will be afterward at Mills Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1240 or Penobscot Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 73, Lincoln, ME 04457. Arrangements with Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
MARIE R. MCLAUGHLIN
