Laurena L. McLaughlin, loving, caring soul
Laurena L. McLaughlin, 81, of Millsboro, formerly of Endicott, N.Y., passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.
She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Oct. 22, 1943, daughter of the late Eugene Brannigan and the late Laurena (Davis) Brannigan. Laurena attended St. Antony of Padua church in Endicott, N.Y., and worked for Family & Children’s Society in Binghamton, N.Y., before her retirement. She was an EMT for Union Volunteer Emergency Squad and the first female volunteer firefighter with Union Center Fire Company, both in Endicott.
After moving to Delaware, she attended Mary Mother of Peace Church and volunteered at Mary's House, the local food pantry. Laurena was a member of the American Legion Post 28 women's auxiliary and belonged to Group of Seniors Helping. She and her husband, Bill, were members of Long Neck CHEER Center and the Indian River Yacht Club. Laurena and her husband Bill made lasting friends at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., where they enjoyed visiting over the last 35 years. She enjoyed helping the community and made many friends along the way. Laurena enjoyed life and was a loving, caring soul who doted on her grandson, Noah.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Brannigan; and two sisters, Gertrude Woods and Jeanne Chulbicki. She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, William Joseph McLaughlin; two daughters, Kelly Osmond Kensinger and her husband Jerry of Stuart, Fla., Kimberly Osmond-Tomosky and her husband Chris of Endicott, N.Y., grandson, Noah Sassman of Tallahassee, Fla.; sister-in-law, Virginia Watts-Smith and her husband Ralph (Smitty) Smith; two brothers, Thomas Brannigan, and Eugene and his wife Nancy Brannigan. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Laurena’s name to the Beebe Medical Foundation, c/o Beebe Hospital Intensive Care Unit, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, where Laurena was treated with kindness, care, and compassion.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
