Elizabeth M. (Vandewater) McLaughlin June 12, 2019 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Elizabeth M. Vandewater Dunnigan McLaughlin. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, raised in New York City and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Elizabeth moved to Syracuse, New York with her family as a young adult. There she met and married John R. McLaughlin and together they raised eight children. Elizabeth was an avid reader and antique collector. She enjoyed swimming and ice-skating; she took up gardening later in life and enjoyed making her home beautiful both inside and out. She fostered a strong work ethic, faith in God, compassion for others and a love of reading in her children. Her strong unconditional love, boundless charity, and sense of humor made her friendship an invaluable gift. There was nothing that she would not give, or do to help a friend. She had an unlimited love for children which she bestowed upon her own eight as well as countless others. She opened her heart and home to several foster children and later in life, worked in the Foster Grandparent Program and as a teacher's aide at Head Start. Elizabeth was an active parishioner of St. John the Baptist parish for over seventy years and a long-time member of The Theresians Society. Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, William and Margaret Vandewater, her husband of 43 years, Jack, her sister Helen, her son William and son-in-law Michael. She is survived by five daughters: Margaret M. McLaughlin, Maureen (Robert) Perkins, Mary Ellen (Peter) Rowe, Madeline (Tom) Reynolds, Kelly (Eric) Bulger; sons, John Michael McLaughlin, Martin G. McLaughlin, twelve grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A calling hour from 9 – 10 am will be held on Friday, June 28th at St. John the Baptist Church, 406 Court St., Syracuse, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. The family wishes to convey their gratitude to Cindy and Beth for the wonderful care and attention they gave to Elizabeth during the last few years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Ronald McDonald House or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Jun. 19 to Jun. 23, 2019.