Helen Drummond McLaughlin

1922-2011

Helen Drummond McLaughlin, of Pensacola, died on Tuesday, May 10, 2011.

She was born March 31, 1922 in New York to Scottish immigrants, Donald and Margaret (Walker) Macadie. She was raised in Durham, N.C. where her father worked as master stone mason during the construction of Duke Chapel at the university.

She served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1952, enlisting as a WAVE and attaining rank of Yeoman First Class. She continued her service as a military spouse until her husband’s retirement in 1964.

A resident of Pensacola since 1964, she was an active member of Warrington Chapter 205 of the Order of Eastern Star and the Warrington Elkettes. Her local church families included Warrington Methodist Church, Westwood Christian Church, and First United Methodist Church. A full-time mom and homemaker, she was known for her creative talents in the kitchen and garden, and at the sewing machine.

She met John Hugh McLaughlin (of Pensacola) in 1950 while both were in the Navy stationed in Washington, D.C. They married six months after their first date and celebrated 57 years of marriage before his death in 2007.

She is also preceded in death by her aforementioned parents and brother, Donald Grant Macadie, who was killed in World War II.

She is survived by her son, Donald Hugh McLaughlin of Valparaiso; daughter, Mary Margaret (Bob) Riker of Pensacola; and grandson, Michael Riker.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 17 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors at 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 16.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff of The Haven of Our Lady of Peace. “Miss Helen” loved all “her girls” at the Haven and enjoyed participating in the activities. The entire staff, especially those in nursing and Chaplain Anamarija Sloan, could not have been more loving and thoughtful in her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Foundation for the Haven Activities Fund.

OAK LAWN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be offered at www.oaklawnfunerals.com.