Obituaries
Barbara Anne McLaughlin
November 6, 1937 - December 28, 2025
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VISITATION
January 4, 2026 | 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Sunday - Yurs Funeral Home St. Charles
- Funeral Mass
- January 5, 2026 | 10:30 A.M.
- St. Patrick Church 400 Cedar Street St. Charles
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Burial Location
Resurrection Cemetery
Barbara Anne McLaughlin
November 6, 1937 – December 28, 2025
Barbara Anne McLaughlin of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family. She went gently to be reunited with those who went before her.
Born on November 6, 1937, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Barbara was the only child of Anne and John Merrick. She graduated from St. Catherine of Siena High School and West Chester University, and devoted her life to education, faith, and service.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Martin Joseph McLaughlin Sr., and her youngest son, James Michael McLaughlin. Their passing never diminished her grace, strength, or love for others.
A devoted teacher for 23 years at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in St. Charles, Barbara touched countless lives through her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering care for her students.
She is survived by her children: Kathleen McLaughlin of Barrington, Patricia (Thomas) Swanson of Ponte Vedra, Florida, and Martin (Kathleen) McLaughlin of Barrington Hills. Barbara was a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren and two great grand children.
Barbara’s life was rich with friendship. She cherished her St. Patrick’s colleagues, her Ocean City and West Chester friends, and those who walked beside her in recent years. Their love filled her days with laughter and meaning.
Above all, Barbara was a woman of deep faith. She lived to serve others, rarely thinking of herself, always offering care, encouragement, and a helping hand. She found her greatest joy in her family and in being present for her grandchildren—traveling endlessly to cheer them on in sports, theater, and life.
Barbara will be remembered as gentle, faithful, selfless, funny and deeply loving. The family offers heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, who treated her with dignity, compassion, and love during her final years at home.
She will be forever missed and forever loved. We take comfort in her faith, knowing that she’s with our Heavenly Father.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 4th from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Yurs Funeral Home 405 E Main Street St. Charles. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday January 5th at St. Patrick Church 400 Cedar Street St. Charles. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the St. Patrick Catholic School St. Charles, Il
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Condolences
Claire Erickson from St Charles, IL
"I have many memories of the good times the Old St. Pat's Friends have shared. Luncheons, swim parties, hanging out and just enjoying being with all of us. You will be missed very much. I never saw Barb in anything but a good mood. Always laughing, smiling and enjoying life. God bless you, Barb."
Gail Y Brown from Glen Mills, PA
"Merk, as the Valkyrie sisters called her, was a huge part of our college lives and on through the decades. Her sense of humor always entertained us. We will miss her and cherish her memory."
Peggy Witaske from North Hollywood, CA
"We were so sorry to hear of Barb’s passing…We loved being neighbors all the years we spent in Lake Charlotte. Barb was a hoot! Her irreverent sense of humor about the absurdities of life could make me laugh like no other. She always brought the fun, yet was also so caring & genuinely interested in hearing about our lives. In recent years, I would often stop in when taking my daily walks & looked forward to our visits. I always left feeling upbeat & renewed. Before Barb had her physical issues, she would ride her bike around the neighborhood like a champ sharing that dry sense of humor with everyone who encountered her. She was the life of many a neighborhood party! As former teachers, we shared a love of children & Barb was always finding me something in her house that would bring a smile to the little ones in my care. We are so sorry to be missing the services this week but our re-location to California & our son’s wedding next week have made the trip back impossible. Please share our deepest sympathies to Barb’s family. She was one of a kind & will be deeply missed ❤️"
Deanna Jezior holmes from Mount Pleasant, TX
"So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and condolences to your family"
Nancy Kelly from Wayne, IL
"It is with a heavy heart that I am sending my sympathies to Barb’s family and wishing you comfort in your grief. I will always remember Barb. She always displayed a keen sense of humor, fun and genuine goodness. God’s blessings to her family."
terence McLaughlin from Philadelphia, PA
"To the McLaughlin Family my condolences to you and your family During This Difficult Time Of Sorrow. Your Mother was A Beautiful Lady And My Favorite Aunt Because She Possessed A Joy Of Life That Rubbed Off On The People who Surrounded Her. She Is in my prayers And I know In The protection of Our Heavenly father.God Bless the McLaughlin Family"
Cheryl Perez from Monrovia , CA
"We loved Mrs. McLaughlin. All our sons had her as a teacher in St Patrick’s. We loved her dearly. She will be missed. May God bless her soul and return to her loved ones waiting for her."
Jeanne Liesen from St Charles , IL
"Sending condolences to Barbs beloved family We have many fond memories of Barb from St Pats PE classes and her visits to see Dr Ken She was always a joy to be around God bless her as well as the family"
SJP2 Roman Catholic Church from Nocatee, FL
"With deepest condolences and continued prayers from St. John Paul II Parish (staff and parishioners) and the Ministry of Consolation."
Emma Wohlfarth from Atlanta, GA
"Mrs. McLaughlin was my 3rd grade teacher in 2008-2009. I think about her often, and I speak of her to this day. Today was one of those days I was thinking of her… I went to Google to try and find a point of contact, to let her know from my adult self just how much her light and joy made an impact on me during a tough point in my childhood. To say I am devastated to learn of her passing is an understatement, haha. I waited too long to voice my thanks and admiration to her in this lifetime, and for that I feel a good bit of remorse. To her family, and her friends- she was one in a million, and she made such a huge impact on me as a child. I never forgot about her. Her smile is etched into my brain as a beautiful picture. I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to speak of her with the highest of regard. She deserves that and so much more."