Obituary of Mary Michaelena McLaughlin

After a blessedly short illness, Mary Michaelena McLaughlin, C.M., aged 96, recently residing at Parkland Saint John, NB, embarked on her last great journey on October 31, 2020. Eldest daughter of Joseph Raymond and Kathleen Gertrude (nee Morrissey) McLaughlin of Saint John West, NB, Michealena was predeceased by her sisters, Florence Marie and Frances Eileen McLaughlin and Kathleen Patricia McGraw. She is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews (including grand and great); as well as an extensive, international, network of friends. Mike attended Saint John Vocational School for secretarial training in the late 40s. Her first jobs were with Parker Mitchell and Pacific Dairies in Saint John, but she wanted to see more of the world and set out, on her own, in 1951 to do so. While at Pratt & Whitney in Montreal, her application to the Government of Canada was approved but, with no expectation of an immediate position, she continued working her way west with a view to the new oil boom jobs in Edmonton, AB. She made it as far as Toronto before returning to Ottawa in 1954 to accept a position with External (now Global) Affairs Canada. As she sailed to her first posting in Japan, with a stopover in Hawaii, she knew she made an excellent decision and never wavered from that opinion. During her career, Mike lived in Tokyo, Prague, Tel Aviv, Boston, Moscow, Dar Es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Beirut, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos and Islamabad. She firmly believed that part of her job was to represent the best of Canada’s tradition in international aid and always sought opportunities to meet the citizens and help local communities wherever she was. Even after her retirement, while settled in Ottawa, she returned to work in the Caritas Pakistan offices for a number of winters. In 1999, as a result of her dedicated public service, often in stressful and dangerous situations, Michealena was awarded the Order of Canada as an exceptional representative of support staffs’ contributions to the work of Global Affairs Canada. Always eager for new places, she travelled to Australia, Cyprus, Panama, Alaska and all over Europe, particularly enjoying Ireland…but she never did get to Edmonton. An avid swimmer, Mike visited The Pond in Rockcliffe Park into her eighties. She loved puzzles and board games, was a fierce Scrabble player and delighted to learn Cribbage recently. She was also a keen follower of politics and is likely pleased she’ll gain more insight now than she ever could watching the news or reading her newspapers and magazines! Mike was a larger than life character. She wore vibrant colours because she “wanted you to notice her, as you should!” And, she’d be the first to tell you “don’t ask me to talk, because I will!” As you can imagine, she had the best stories and was gifted in their telling; and more than willing to stretch the truth a little if it made things more interesting. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her. Arrangements are under the care of Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John, NB E2M 2L3, 506-634-1701. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held from Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.castlefh.com. Due to the current public health situation in Saint John, Mike’s Mass has been restricted to 25 friends and family. A mask is required upon entry into Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Her service will be lived stream for those unable to attend. Mike was a longtime supporter of the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Indspire and L’Arche but she would be pleased with any donations made in her memory to whatever charity is important to you.