Obituary of Betty Lou McLaughlin

Betty Lou McLaughlin passed away on Sunday March 5, 2023 at 11:11 a.m. at her home in Bangor, Maine. She passed peacefully in the presence of family members with her son Win by her side, holding her hand. She was 62 years old. Betty was born on April 21, 1960 in Trenton, New Jersey. She was the eighth of nine children.

She was predeceased by her parents William Chandler McLaughlin, Jr and Juanita Mae (Lambert) McLaughlin as well as her brother Gary Smith. She was also predeceased by her special pets, her cat Chewy and her beloved dog, Bailey.

Despite battling a lengthy illness, Betty displayed a real joy for life. She was always seeking things to keep herself active and busy. She enjoyed crafting and always found creative ways to reuse items and make new-found treasures. She also enjoyed tending to her window-side herb garden.  Betty also enjoyed cooking and baking. She made the best pancakes and her family looked forward to her apple turnovers at the holidays. Her niece, Samantha, also looked forward to her specially made birthday cake – chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.

Betty had a big heart. She was thoughtful and caring and was always willing to express it. Whether it be a phone call, a kind gesture or a funny Facebook post, she always showed she cared. Betty really enjoyed social gatherings…. coffee and conversation with her sisters, sharing a beer and a medium-rare steak with her brothers, or a family game of pool. She also enjoyed her chats with neighborhood friends “the Bangor Butt-heads”, Jerry, Crystal, Dana and her neighbor Betty. Her real treasure in life was her son Win. He devotedly cared for her throughout her illness just as she devotedly cared for him throughout his life. He did so many things to put a smile on her face but she was especially happy to see him show up with a hot Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Betty will be greatly missed by her son, Winfred McLaughlin of Bangor and his daughter Paige Bell of Old Town as well as her siblings: sisters Kelly Hillborn of Bangor; Debra McLaughlin of Woodstock GA; Wanda McLaughlin and her husband Tyrone of Portland Maine; brothers William Chandler McLaughlin,III and his wife, Doris of Yardville, New Jersey; Stephen McLaughlin of Portland Maine;  Allen McLaughlin and his wife Mona of Levant Maine; and Geno McLaughlin of Bangor as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit 5 – 7 PM Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer will take place in the spring. Messages and memories of Betty may be shared with her family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.