Obituaries: Margaret McLaughlin
February 01, 2017
Margaret (“Gretta”) McLaughlin (nee McCann) was born in Drumnatrade, County Cavan, Ireland in June 1924 to Annie (nee Tierney) and Terence McCann. She went to Dublin at 15, joining Jury’s Hotel where she worked for 10 years before emigrating to New York City.
In New York, she worked in the Accounting Department of Graybar Electric. She met her husband John at a dance in NYC, and they married in 1952. Leaving Graybar in 1956, moving to Cornwall-on-Hudson in 1956 to open McLaughlin’s Bar and Grill. In 1965 they opened the Orchard Hotel in Verplank, NY. Returning to Cornwall in 1967 to open the Leprechaun Inn, which John and Gretta operated until their retirement in 1984. John & Gretta were beloved publicans in their community.
After her children went to college, she returned to her passion of caring for the sick and needy. She began volunteering with the Homemakers of Orange County, and soon moved to volunteer for Hospice of Orange & Rockland, where she was ultimately honored as their volunteer with the lengthiest service.
Gretta loved to travel. As well as returning to Ireland frequently, she visited France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Bavaria and much of the Caribbean. She was a Charter Member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 2, and a longstanding member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the B.P.O.E.
John and Gretta came to the US as emigrants and worked hard to achieve the “American Dream”, building a wonderful life for their family. Gretta was devoted to her family and beloved grandchildren. She spent her life caring for others. She was revered as a woman of unique talents and strength. She lived her life in a selfless manner and taught us by example about putting others first. But she also taught us to love deeply, laugh often and enjoy the journey life has to offer. While we will not see her like soon again, she left us with a legacy of love and caring for others.
She is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, John. She is survived by her children, John (“Sean”) McLaughlin and his wife Joan (Beck) and Philomena (“Nina”) and her husband, John Ross; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Larissa and Ian Ross. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Anne, Mae, Thomas, Bridget, Terence and Kathleen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 3rd at Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, 337 Hudson St. Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 4th at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 340 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, NY.
Memorial Contributions in Gretta’s name can be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley Bros. Funeral Home; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com
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