Mary Helen McLaughlin, devout Catholic
Mary Helen McLaughlin passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at the Moorings at Lewes, where she had resided since 2012. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 23, 1929, the only daughter of the late John J. Tracy of Martinstown, Co. Limerick, Ireland, and the late Bridget Meehan Tracy of Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
Mary was a 1947 graduate of St. Francis Xavier Academy in Brooklyn. After high school, she was employed as a bank teller with the Central Hanover Trust Company. Mary would go on to have a 38-year career with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (now J.P Morgan Chase Bank), rising from teller to assistant vice president and manager of the Greenwich Village branch at her retirement in 1987.
In 1954, Mary married Daniel J. McLaughlin, also of Brooklyn. They enjoyed 60 loving years of marriage together, residing first in Queens, N.Y., then in West Hempstead, Long Island, and finally for almost 30 years in retirement in Fenwick Island and at The Moorings. Mary and Dan had 21 nieces and nephews, and over 40 great-nieces and great-nephews. Mary was a proud and loving aunt and was always present, attending graduations, weddings, birthday celebrations, and other life events. Her generosity and presence was not limited to just these special occasions though, as she took great interest in the lives of her extended family, and was always there for advice, encouragement, and mentoring.
In her retirement years in Fenwick Island, Mary was active in her church, St. Luke/St. Andrew Catholic Church, was a member the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, and volunteered at community events in Fenwick Island. She also thoroughly enjoyed the annual late August beach fest at Fenwick Island of over 100 members of the Baker, Grady, McLaughlin and Tracy clans.
Mary was predeceased by her loving husband, Daniel J. McLaughlin; her brothers: John J. Tracy Jr., Francis Tracy, William Tracy and Richard Tracy; and her devoted niece, Beth Louison. She is survived by 20 nieces and nephews and their children; her brothers-in-law: John McLaughlin (Frida) of Rumson, N.J., Edward McLaughlin (Lee) of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and her sister-in-law, Charlotte Tracy, of Apopka, Fla.
Mary was a devout Roman Catholic and her Catholic faith informed her whole life. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 11:30 a.m., at St Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery with Mary's beloved Dan will take place at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.
Please visit Mary's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
