Ann Martin McLaughlin, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love for her family, friendship and adventure. Born on December 8, 1945, in Muskogee, Oklahoma and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, she started higher education at Kansas State University, continued college while raising children and ultimately, earned a degree in English from the University of Houston, in her early 50’s.
Ann was a voracious reader of multiple books a week throughout her life and loved trivia and word games. She was an avid sports fan, especially for the Houston Astros and Kansas State Wildcats; Ann often did all of this at the same time.
In her professional life, Ann took great pride in and full advantage of her career as a Travel Agent. Her adventurous spirit took her to six of the seven continents and at least seventy countries. Her destinations included many from her bucket list: South America, the Holy Land, Norway, China, Russia and most of the islands in the Caribbean.
Ann was a force of nature—warm, welcoming, and never short on stories. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and leave them feeling like they'd known each other for years. She was particularly skilled at and sought out for her practical and judgment-free approach to life’s complications.
Ann's greatest joy, however, was her family. She shared 42 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Gerry McLaughlin. Together, they built a loving home filled with fun, laughter and cherished memories. Though preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Jessie Martin, and her son, Scott Andrews, Ann's spirit lives on through her surviving children: Amy Phillips (Paul), Becky Schufreider, Ellen Torreyson (Travis), and Elizabeth Schall (Fred). The family tree extended with 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three brothers Bob, John and Jim Martin.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Ann Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 2PM-4PM at Independence Hall, 201 Kissing Tree Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666. If you’re inclined, Ann’s favorite color was red, and we’ll all be wearing it to celebrate her. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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