Shirley Anne McLaughlin

McLaughlin, Shirley Anne passed away on July 26, 2024 in Halifax. Born June 9, 1938, in Dartmouth, N.S. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Marguerite Mara and predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Geldart. She was the wife of Philip McLaughlin and is survived by her daughter Kerry McLaughlin (Carman), Toronto, Ont., Christopher McLaughlin (Debbie), Mississauga, Ont., sister Linda Ashe (John), Winnipeg, Man.

During her professional career, Shirley worked mainly in social services with various organizations. While living in London, Ont., she completed a Counselling Program through MacMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. She later enrolled in the Volunteer Management program, at Conestoga College, Waterloo, Ont. graduating with President’s Honours. She used her skills working for a nonprofit agency providing services to victims and perpetrators of Domestic Violence as a counsellor and also manager of Volunteer Services. Shirley became interested in natural healing techniques while living in Ontario, and took training in an energy-based healing technique called Therapeutic Touch.

Upon returning to Halifax, she started conducting workshops throughout the Maritimes for the nursing sector and other interested groups. She was responsible for setting up the Atlantic Therapeutic Touch Network and served as the first Coordinator.

Over the years, Shirley worked as a volunteer for many organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Cancer Clinic & Sunshine Room QE2, and as a volunteer tour guide at Pier 21 Immigration Museum.

She loved music, dancing, live theatre, travel and good books. After retiring, she and her husband bought a winter retreat in Florida, where Shirley became involved with her community, organizing entertainment events for the residents of her winter home. She helped organize a library for the community and started a book club.

Shirley loved to travel and often said that she wanted to see what was over the next hill. She and her husband had the good fortune to visit many places in the U.S., Caribbean and Europe during their retirement years.