Eleanor Allen McLaughlin

Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Eleanor Allen Mitchell McLaughlin, passed away peacefully at her home in Pollock Pines, California on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the age of 104 years and 8 months.

Funeral services will be held at Chapel of the Pines, at 2855 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville, California on Monday, May 8th, at 11:00 am, with a reception following. Directions and maps to the reception will be available at the service. There will be a brief graveside ceremony immediately after the service where Eleanor will be laid to rest at the Westwood Hills Memorial Park on Cold Springs Road in Placerville. Flowers may be sent to the Chapel of the Pines at the above address.

Eleanor’s daughter, Judith Ann McLaughlin Newman, predeceased her, passing away in February of 2008, in Placerville, California. Eleanor is survived by her three adoring grandchildren: Racine Dahlgren-Coburn of Vacaville, California; Sara Dahlgren, of Pollock Pines, California; Sam Shweiky of Napa, California. She also has three great-grandchildren that she loved so much and was so proud of: Danielle Colburn of Vacaville, California; Benjamin Colburn of Suisun City, California; Abraham Shweiky of Napa, California. Eleanor is also survived by her many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews living all across the United States.

Eleanor was the longest living person in her family. She was predeceased by her parents, Clyde and Georgette Mitchell of Gage, Oklahoma; her four brothers and one sister: Eric (Rosemary) Mitchell of Fresno, California; Walter (Beulah)Mitchell of Woodward, Oklahoma; Howard “Ellis” (Laura) Mitchell of Prescott, Arizona; Charles (Josie) Mitchell of Wickenburg, Arizona; Evelyn (John) Chastain of Gage,Oklahoma.

Eleanor was active with her beloved church, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Placerville for many years, and served in many capacities such as Sunday School Superintendent, Reading Room attendant, Board Member, janitor, and so forth. Her faith was very important to her, and she tried to live every moment with love and grace. She far exceeded that!

In 1974, she took in her three grandchildren and raised them into successful adults. She was single and had very little money, but always tried to make things fun, such as taking the children on a picnic on Sunday afternoons. She took them camping, skating, hiking, and rock hunting, a favorite hobby of hers. Eleanor not only took in her own grandchildren, but she also took in all of the little lost children that came across her path, either for a day, a week, or a lifetime. Many children came through her loving heart and home, and some have returned to thank her many times. She loved children, and loved playing games with them, teaching them things, singing to them, telling them nursery rhymes and funny farm stories from her own childhood on the farm. She volunteered for the schools, doing such things as a dance chaperone and field trip helper. She was an enthusiastic youth leader in the local Grange, doing youth activities. Eleanor gave a helping hand to anyone she saw in need, regardless of the circumstances they found themselves in. Her generous heart and spirit gave comfort and shelter to “children” of all ages.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelofthepinesfunerals.com for the McLaughlin family.