…beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother; 87
TEWKSBURY - Mrs. Madalyn A. (Powers) McLaughlin, 87, of Tewksbury, MA, died peacefully, with her family by her side, on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Tewksbury Hospital. She had been married for 49 years to the late James P. McLaughlin, who passed away in 2000.
She was born in Lowell, June 9, 1929, one of seven children of the late James and Madalyn (Curley) Powers, and was raised and educated in Lowell. She graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, with the class of 1946. Following her marriage to Jim, they moved to North St. in Tewksbury, where she had resided for the past six decades.
Before retiring, she worked as a Tax Examiner for the Internal Revenue Service, at the Andover Service Center for over 25 years.
Sookey loved the beach, spending many summers with family on Cape Cod, and winters at Marco Island, FL. Sookey and Jim loved to travel with family and friends, taking many trips to Ireland, Italy, and here in the US. Sookey and Jim were cruise pioneers, beginning back in 1969 on Royal Carribean. They cruised to the Caribbean, Bahamas, west coast, and Alaska. Sookey also spent much time reading, journaling, and gardening.
Sookey is survived by three daughters, Susan Gifford of Penacook, NH; Sharon Lefebvre of Lowell, MA; Sheila O'Brien of Dracut, MA; and by a son James M. McLaughlin of Dracut, MA; eleven grandchildren, Nichole Levy, Sherry Levy, and James Levy and his wife Heather; Melissa Gifford; Erin Lefebvre, Kevin Lefebvre and his wife Tina; James McLaughlin and Jonathan McLaughlin and his wife Mandy; Sean O’Brien, who received his angel wings in 2013, Daniel O’Brien, and Timothy O’Brien; thirteen great-grandchildren, Asjylyn, Joel, Madalyn, Katelyn, Edwin, Isaiah, Serenity, Emma, Isabel, Xiana, Maeve, Morgan, and Cora.
She is also survived by a sister Judith Sholik of Salem, NH; a brother, David Powers and his wife Carol of San Marcos, TX; sisters-in-law Barbara Powers and her dear friend Guy Murgo of Seabrook, NH, and Gini Powers of Lowell; and many nieces and nephews and cousins; three dear high school friends of over 68 years with whom she formed 'The Club': Pauline (McDonough) Gorham of Chelmsford; Gert (Roux) Landry and Shirley (Wood) Maliszewski, both of Lowell. She was the sister of the late Patricia (Powers) Chaput, James E. Powers, Maurice Powers, and Robert Powers; and sister-in-law of the late Fred and Lillian (McLaughlin) Marion, and Jack Sholik.
Visiting hours Friday, April 7, from 4 to 7 pm in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of Dewey and Main Sts. (Rte 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. Her funeral will begin Saturday, April 8, at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Church, 534 Bridge St. Lowell. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the MA/NH chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.alz.org would be appreciated. Please wear bright colors, like green to celebrate her Irish heritage, or purple to recognize Alzheimer’s research. Sookey’s family extends a sincere thank you to the entire staff of Tewksbury Hospital, especially A-4, for the amazing care provided during her stay at the hospital. tewksburyfuneralhome.com