Joan A. McLaughlin

NAME/ AGE Joan A. McLaughlin,age 83, of Batavia, passed away at Provena Pine View Care Center, St. Charles surrounded by the love and prayers of her family in the early morning hours of Monday, November 23, 2009.BORN Joan was born April 5, 1926 the daughter of Charles Curtis and Katherine (McMullen) Prentiss in Boston, MA. CHILDHOOD She grew up in Quincy Point, MA and attended St. Josephs Grammar School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Weymouth, MA in 1943. Following graduation, Joan worked in the front office of Bethlehem Steel where she would find a life time of love with her boss Jim. MARRIED Joan was united in marriage on September 7, 1946 to James Edward McLaughlin in Quincy Point, MA. They began their new life together in her home town of Quincy raising a family while Jim continued to work for Bethlehem Steel. A few years later the family moved to Pittsfield, MA. Ten years later they moved to Galveston, TX for a time before settling in St. Charles, IL in 1962. During their time in the tri-cities Joan worked at Morgan’s Jewelry Factory and DuKane. In 1975 they moved to Batavia where she began working at Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company. Following Jim’s passing she changed vocation once more when she worked as a receptionist for eight years at the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). Joan then moved to Elburn for six years before returning to Batavia where she made her home until declining health brought her to Provena Pine View Care Center in St. Charles. MEMBERSHIP Joan was a member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) as well as St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. John Neumann and most recently Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia.LIFE NOTES Joan had a giving heart and an unending love for her grandchildren. Her hands were always busy doing something. She loved to knit, crotchet, and volunteer for a number of organizations including the Batavia Fireworkds Fund, RSVP an organizion of senior citizens who volunteer, at Delnor Hospital gift shop where she earned her badge for 1, 500 hours of service and also found time to prepare meals for Hesed House. She always had a special place in her heart for her pets including Bucky, T-Bone and Kava. In her younger years she also enjoyed camping with her family at Illinois Beach State Park, Starved Rock, Angola, IN and Fish Creek, WI much to the chagrin of her children. FAMILY MEMBERS She now leaves six children: Anne Marie Wyatt (Bill) Rogers of Newport News, VA,Charles Curtis McLaughlin of New Jersey, Virginia (David) Ritchie of Naperville, IL, Ted McLaughlin of St. Charles, IL, Paul (Connie) McLaughlin of Aurora, IL, and Peggy (Mark) Macaluso of Batavia, IL Six grandchildren: Andrew Wyatt of Batavia, IL, Alana McLaughlin of Prescott, AZ,David and Robert Ritchie both of Naperville, IL, Andrea and Marc Macaluso both of Batavia, IL;One great-granddaughter Abigail Jones and many nieces and nephews and a family of friends. PRECEDED She is preceded by her husband James;One sister Martha Murphy, and a daughter-in-law Maggie McLaughlin.VISITATION/ FUNERAL REQUESTS AND DISCUSSION : Visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. with a memorial service to celebrate her life to begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.MEMORIALS In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her name to benefit her favorite charities including the local food pantry and the Salvation Army. Checks may be made to the "Joan McLaughlin Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. with a memorial service to celebrate her life to begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.