Louise Laughlin

Louise Laughlin, June 13, 1928– Sept 28,2010

With deep sorrow to those who loved her, Lou sether spirit free at the age of 82. Waiting for her to join them was herhusband Richard , mother Mary, father James and numerous friends andrelatives. She will be greatly missed by her children, Mike (Claudia),Jean (Chris) and Kate (Tom) , grandchildren Alicia and Jimmy, greatgrandson Derek , brother James (Judy), sister-in-law Dorothy , nephewsChip and Glen and niece Elizabeth.

Louise was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, excelling atan all girls Catholic school. She would pick wild blueberries for herItalian mothers’ pies in summer, help with her Irish fathers’ winemakingin autumn , sled in winter and weed the family garden in spring. Shortlyafter high school graduation in 1945, she and a girlfriend daringly caughta bus to sunny California, where she procured a job in the movie costumeindustry while boarding at the YWCA. On a blind date, she met her husband Richard (Dick)Laughlin and was married in 1949.

 Lou and Dick bought land in the foothills of Verdugo Mountains andhad a home built for them that they would live in the rest of their days.Here they raised their 3 children, spending summer Sundays at their beloved Manhattan beach,camping at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite and enjoying the neighbourhood.Louise was an first-rate seamstress and cook and always had a houseful ofpets; cats, snakes, tarantulas, mice and an anteater. She was very activein the PTA, which later led to a job at the Board of Education. Then , forthe next 20 years, she could be seen zipping around in her yellow AustinHealy Sprite as she worked for an insurance company inGlendale.

Retirement saw Louise continuing with her generosity toenvironmental and social charities, volunteering for the Whiting WoodsAssociation and Tim Richards Foundation and working at election polls. Sheenjoyed bridge games with many different foursomes, bowling and the L.A.sports teams. Lou and Dick enjoyed outdoor pursuits together; climbing Mt.Whitney, hiking the Sierra loop, snowmobiling, cross country skiing,ballooning, para sailing , bird watching and more. Their travels took themto Alaska, Mexico, Europe ,South America, Africa and beyond, usuallyplanning a couple trips each year.

After the passing of her husband in 2007, Louise became morechallenged with her slow progression of Alzheimer's disease. With thesolicitude of her caregivers Mindy and Jovita, she continued to live inher home; walking, watering plants and feeding her beloved cats. Ahemorrhagic stroke finally took her life and she is truly grieved for. Amemorial buffet for her will be held on October 31, 2010 in her own home.Friends and family may drop in between 12-4 pm to honor and remember this outstanding women. For moreinfo phone Mike at (818) 842-2317