Mary Mildred McLaughlin

Mary Mildred McLaughlin, 87, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025. Mary was a woman of quick wit, endless adaptability, and a heart that overflowed with love and devotion to her family.

Mary could always be counted on to lend a hand, offer a word of encouragement, smooth things over by encouraging her sons to “let it go”, or share one of her famously whimsical words or expressions that left listeners laughing, thinking, or both.

Mary was born on July 5, 1938, in Chatham, Ontario, and grew up on a bustling family farm near Wallaceburg. The farm had it all: dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs, chickens, fruit orchards, dogs, cats, and endless chores. School was no small feat either - Mary really did walk about a mile and a half each way. Cold, snowy days gave her the courage to be the first girl in her school permitted to wear pants. Her one-room, eight-grade schoolhouse had an outhouse and a coal stove. She went on to Wallaceburg District High School, where she played for her school basketball team. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario.

She headed to Toronto to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in advertising compliance, living directly across from Maple Leaf Gardens, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, which meant plenty of excitement for this lifelong sports fan. In 1962, she married Bob McLaughlin. Together, they lived briefly in Halifax, Nova Scotia before settling in the Toronto borough of Etobicoke in 1965. There, they raised two sons, Jim and Gary. While in Toronto, Mary and Bob also orchestrated the emigration of two refugees out of Cuba. Lily and Giraldo stayed in Mary’s home after arriving in Canada and they have never forgotten how she helped them start their new lives.

Mary ran a small travel agency, aptly named Personal Travel, because she believed every trip should come with a personal touch. She also made sure to test out the product herself, exploring Europe, Asia, Australia, and every corner of North America.

In 1984, Mary moved with her family to Ottawa, where she volunteered to welcome and introduce the spouses of international diplomats to Canada’s capital. Then they traded snow shovels for sunshine in Florida, living nearly 25 years in Melbourne Beach and Indian Harbour Beach. During this time, she and Bob wrote and self-published a US immigration book and volunteered in disaster relief for the American Red Cross. After Bob passed away, Mary moved to North Carolina in 2014 where she lived in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood and then Aldersgate retirement community.

Mary took great joy in seeing the world. She and Bob especially enjoyed making the most out of her senior national park pass, proving that retirement could be just as adventurous as youth. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed deep dives into complicated social subjects through books and conversation. Her elixir to these tough subjects – lots of laughter and spending quality time – the sillier, the better – with her grandchildren. She cherished her family above all else and delighted in watching her sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters flourish.

A member of Plaza Presbyterian Church, Mary lived her Christian faith quietly. She enjoyed making sandwiches for her homeless neighbors. Her gentle humor and capacity to find light in every situation will be remembered and celebrated by all who knew her. She is survived by her sons, Jim McLaughlin (Krissa Jensen) of San Diego, and Gary McLaughlin (Beth) of Charlotte, and her beloved grandchildren, Lauren, Claire, and Kate McLaughlin. She is predeceased by her husband Bob, her parents Will and Ethel Glasgow, and her brothers Doug (Jean) and Don (Dorothy).

Her family sends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Aldersgate, who cared for Mary with such kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association (lung.org), American Red Cross (RedCross.org), or Roof Above (roofabove.org).

A reception will be held in Mary’s honor at Aldersgate (Club Room) at 3800 Shamrock Drive in Charlotte on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 3:00 - 5:00pm.