Arlene Ethel McLaughlin

Arlene was born in Sioux Valley, Minnesota; she lived on the family farm. She was active in 4-H where she won awards for sewing and for raising a prize-winning heifer.

At the age of 16, her family moved to Long Beach, California; she knew this was where she was meant to live. Sunshine, no snow, palm trees and the ocean were what made this move extraordinary for her. Arlene went to Poly High School in Long Beach, Long Beach City College and to UC Berkley for the X-Ray Technician program. She was one of nine selected for this program; she lived in San Francisco at the age of 19 to attend this program. She was a registered X-Ray Technician for more than 50 years.

In August of 1953 at Laguna Beach, she met Donald Joseph McLaughlin; they married in November of that same year and were married to each other for 49 years.

They lived in Santa Ana, California; together they raised three children, Susan, David and Matt. Arlene was a full-time homemaker and active in the Episcopal Church of the Messiah. She was on the Altar Guild and Don was active in the Vestry. The children were actively supported by them in many activities at the church and the majority of their friends were also active members. Most Thursdays in the summer, Arlene took her three children to the Newport Dunes and on many Sundays, the whole family often went to Laguna Beach’s 1,000 Steps Beach. Lake Gregory was another favorite vacation destination, where they belonged to the San Moritz Club- a resort with beaches and ice skating.

She and Don bought Clark Dye Hardware in 1980. Arlene ran the houseware and giftware departments where her design talents were showcased. She loved going to the Giftware Markets twice a year and brought into the store the latest and most wonderful additions to giftware.

Upon retirement, they enjoyed traveling abroad to many parts of Europe. When her husband, Don, passed away in 2003, she became very involved in personal fitness. She joined several gyms and always had a personal trainer, which she loved.

Arlene also LOVED to dance. She took many classes and danced socially. It was with great pride that she would tell of times when she and a partner would get standing ovations when they would leave the dance floor.

Fashion and interior design were two other passions. She loved clothes and shopping; her home was magazine beautiful and she was always rearranging her surroundings. Decorating and entertaining at Christmas were delights of hers as well. A third passion was watching sports. Football and tennis were her two favorites; she could tell you about certain teams and players with great enthusiasm.

Arlene loved art. Her son, David, and his wife, Heidi, were always taking her to an art show somewhere (one favorite was The Sawdust Festival), and to many musical events. Hiking and taking walks with them were also some of her most favorite activities.

She moved to Town and Country Senior Living in 2022; it was hard emotionally to leave her home, but she was ready to give up some of the responsibility for the daily care of such a large home.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Ione Weisbrod, her beloved husband, Don, a brother, and her grandson Zackary.

She leaves behind her three children, Susan (Dale), David (Heidi) and Matthew (Teri). Additionally, she has three living grandchildren: Seth (Randell), Morgan, Madison and five great grandchildren; Dutch, Olivia, Stella, Owen and Penelope. And finally, she leaves her beloved cat, Chipper.

A memorial service honoring Arlene will be held on October 29, 1:30 PM at Episcopal Church of the Messiah, 614 N. Bush St, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

In remembrance of Arlene’s rich and full life, please send the family a memory, join a gym, take a walk, donate to a cat rescue or to St. Jude’s where her great-granddaughter, Olivia Randalls, is being treated.