Rose (Menz) McLaughlin

Rose (Menz) McLaughlin of Reading, passed away peacefully on Wednesday February 12, 2020. She was 94 years of age.

Rose is the beloved wife of the late William J. McLaughlin. Cherished mother of James McLaughlin and his wife Diane, John McLaughlin and his wife Virginia Valentine, Ann McLaughlin, and Robert McLaughlin and his wife Pornpen. Devoted grandmother of 7 and great grandmother of 4. Dear sister of the late Paul Menz, Eleanor Menz, Catherine Scholl, Louise Fraher and Marjorie Trainor. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Rose was a family- and service-oriented, devout Catholic. Whatever she set out to do, she succeeded, from early on choosing to be a radio operator for American Airlines in a male-dominated profession (where she met her husband Bill), becoming proficient with computers, photography, crafts (her Christmas tree decorations are family treasures), baking (hermits, Sunbeam rolls, Christmas cookies, pies, the list is long). Her interest and talent at photography resulted in her for many years taking photos for the annual Reading historical homes tour and for St. Athanasius Parish. In her years living at Cedar Glen in Reading, she made many friends and for several years ran the social club which organized trips, events and fundraisers such as the community's Christmas sale. For the past several decades, the family vacations have been on Lake Winnepesaukee. Rose was often the first person to go in the water -- she loved to swim and float around with her noodle, doing water exercises she learned at the YMCA's water aerobics. She continued this practice until she was age 93 – this past summer was the first summer she did not go in the lake in all those years. But more than any of these things she accomplished, she was loved by her family including her husband Bill, who was her soulmate and she has sorely missed, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews as well as her many friends. We are comforted by the fact that she is now with her departed family and friends, and memories of her will live on in our hearts.

Funeral from the Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home 11 Linden St. READING on Saturday Feb. 15, 2020 at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Rose's Eternal Life in St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10:30.

Interment will be held in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Friday Feb. 14, 2020 from 3 pm to 7 pm in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available.

Please consider donations in memory of Rose to the Friends of Reading Public Library 64 Middlesex Ave. Reading MA 01867 or at https://www.readingpl.org/ or St. Athanasius Church Fund 300 Haverhill St. Reading MA 01867.