Mary A. Mclaughlin

Mary Agnes Searl McLaughlin, 58, passed away on February 22, 2018 after an extended battle with ovarian cancer.  She is greatly missed by many family members and friends. Faith, family and fidelity were the cornerstones of Mary’s journey with us here on earth. She loved anything to do with family and she loved to share her faith, especially through song.   Her marriage to Rick McLaughlin was a living testament to the abundant grace of a committed, lifelong relationship that not only celebrated the gifts of this life with joy, but also endured the hardships of this life with hope.  She was born to a large loving family on February 19, 1960 and grew up in Loogootee, Indiana. She was known as “Aggie” to her family and friends.  She graduated from Loogootee High School and then graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Industrial Hygiene. She continued in this profession for most of her working life, most recently as an Industrial Hygienist with the US Department of Labor in Des Moines, Iowa. On May 31, 1986, Mary married Rick McLaughlin and joined another large, loving family.  Mary and Rick spent their life together living in places such as Attleboro, Massachusetts; Erie, Pennsylvania; Saint Louis, Missouri; Grimes, Iowa; finally moving to the McLaughlin farmstead near the Irish Settlement in Cumming, Iowa.  Wherever Mary and Rick lived, they brought their dog and put down deep roots within the local faith community.  They engaged multiple ministries in each of the Catholic parishes where they worshipped and gave freely of their time and talent for the glory of God.   They embraced the local Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) and Cursillo communities in each of these places where they lived as a way to grow together within a large, loving family in faith.   Mary had a great heart and she loved many, many things.  She loved her dogs, Casey and Brownie.  She loved fresh garden tomatoes.  She loved Purdue and the Packers.  She loved to sing and play guitar.  She loved to travel and she loved people. Left to cherish Mary’s memory is her husband, Rick; brothers, Mike, Charlie (Debbie), Tom, Leo (Debbie), Steve (Alana) and Ed (Cathy) Searl; sister, Rosanne (David) Lytle; brothers-in-law Mike, Brian, Marty McLaughlin, Brian Smith and Arlan Herzberg; as well as a sisters-in- law, Debbie, Lisa and Char McLaughlin. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members as well as many friends will keep Mary close to their hearts. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Roberts and Mary O’Neal Searl; brothers, Jim, Phil and Bill Searl and sister, Marie Searl. A wake and visitation will be held Monday, February 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, Urbandale, Iowa. Mass of Resurrection will be held at10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 27 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cumming, Iowa. Burial will follow at the Irish Settlement Cemetery, Cumming, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Irish Settlement, Cumming, Iowa, or to the American Cancer Society.