Obituary of Joan Elizabeth McLaughlin

Joan Elizabeth McLaughlin, nee Patterson, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2012, aged 85. She is survived by her seven children, Michael (spouse Mary), Mary (Doyle), Mark (Joanie), Lesley (Donald), Eric (Terry), Megan (Tim) and John (Jennifer). Joan leaves 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, brother Robert and sister Virginia. She is sorely missed. Joan was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 13, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Estelle Patterson (nee Bryant). She was an accomplished athlete in her high school days at Alpha. Her heart was always open and she kept many of her high school friendships over the intervening decades. She met the love of her life, Sedley, and married him at the tender age of 22. As the years flew by she was blessed with seven loving children. She worked as a teacher at Holy Childhood and then Immaculate Conception High School. She is one of the Moms that taught her children with frequent Shakespearean and Biblical quotes! No one can remember an angry word from her lips. She instilled the highest moral values in her children. Years later her wisdom is still a guiding light. Always a scholar, in 1961 she applied to advance her studies at the University of the West Indies. She reported with a laugh that the scholarship interview began with, “Mrs. McLaughlin, I see from your application that you have six children!” She won the scholarship and completed her degree in English with First Class Honors. The University was so impressed that she was immediately hired as a Lecturer. She moved with Sedley to Texas in 1980, and showed her versatility working with geologists exploring for oil, then worked to support the county attorney’s office. She moved to Tampa in 2007 to enjoy being surrounded by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of her pleasures, almost up to her very last day, was cryptic crossword puzzles. She carried on this hobby from her dear mother Estelle. Joan was solving complex clues up to the very end. Joan was diagnosed 2 years ago with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease. The disease brought many challenging issues and painful complications. A devout Catholic, her faith kept her composed under difficult circumstances. She suffered her pain with a saintly equanimity. When she realized the end was coming near, she whispered, “I am not afraid.” She was ready to join her beloved husband of 62 years, who had gone before her. In the early morning hours of the last day of October, the illness finally overcame her frail body, although not her brilliant mind and her wondrous spirit. All who knew her appreciated her gentle manner and her heart full of love. For those who wish to do so, donations may be made to Trees That Feed Foundation, www.treesthatfeed.org, one of Joan’s favorite charities.