Nancy Elisabeth (Tucker) McLaughlin, 89, of Hanson, died Monday, January 25, 2021, peacefully, after a period of failing health.
Nancy grew up in Whitman and was the daughter of Carlton Tucker and Louise Porter Tucker. She attended Whitman Schools and then earned her bachelor’s degree at Simmons College in Boston, Class of 1953.
She was very close to her sister, Carol, and had a very close friendship with a handful of girls, Eloise, Leah, Winnie, Joanne, just to name a few. It was in her high school English class, where she met the love of her life. George was pestering Nancy during class, which earned them both detention after school. It was there that he asked if he could drive her home and their relationship blossomed. Nancy moved to Hanson when she married George in 1954 where they raised their four children Peter, Julie, Laurie and Jean. Nancy was a stay-at-home mom to her children, but always spent her “spare” time volunteering for many organizations.
She was a devoted member of the Whitman First Congregational Church, where she just earned her 75-year pin as a member, and served on many boards and groups over the years. She held office for several decades with the Hanson VNA, located at Plymouth County Hospital. The organization most near and dear to her was Dollars for Scholars of Whitman- Hanson which she served since their establishment in 1962. Several years ago, the organization created a special scholarship on her behalf named “Nancy McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year” award.
Besides her involvement in the community, Nancy had many interests. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking. She organized many bake sales over the years and often participated in the Farmer’s Market at the Thomas Mill in Hanson, donating her proceeds to different organizations that she held close. She also enjoyed traveling with George and family and spending summers on their boat.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband George E. McLaughlin, their son Peter McLaughlin and her sister, Carol Tucker Seward. She leaves her daughters, Julie and husband Art LaChance of Sandwich, Laurie and her husband Jim Armstrong of Hanson and Jean and her husband, Michael Kelly of Hanson. She leaves her 11 grandchildren, Timothy, Patrick and Colin McLaughlin (wife Kellyn); Jason, Eric (wife Kristina), and Bethany LaChance; Kelly Antoine (husband Mark), Chris (wife Laura), and Cara Armstrong (and boyfriend Ranier); and Joseph and Jill Kelly. She leaves behind three great grandchildren, Avery and Brady LaChance and Leigha Antoine. She also leaves behind Peter’s partner Sandi Birdsall, her niece Roberta Spencer, and the mother of Peter’s children, Maura McLaughlin.
Due to COVID, private funeral services are being held at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Whitman. Since Nancy's commitment to faith and God was strong, the family would like to honor her with a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Dollars for Scholars of Whitman - Hanson, PO Box 26, Whitman, MA 02382 or to the First Congregational Church of Whitman, 519 Washington Street, Whitman MA 02382.