Edith Carolyn (nee Nickell) McLaughlin, age 94, passed away peacefully on August 25th, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. She is survived by her son, David McLaughlin of Decatur, Illinois; daughters Tracy Oltman of Maineville, Ohio and Zoe Garnache of Blanchester, Ohio; grandchildren Ashley (Ross) Griffith of Tacoma, Washington, Kyle (Amanda) Oltman of South Lebanon, Ohio, Taylor Williams of Maineville, Ohio, and Carson Garnache of Blanchester, Ohio; great-grandchildren William Oltman, Remington Williams, and Lucy Oltman. She is also survived by her sisters, Shirley McBeath of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Nadene Sayer of La Grange, Kentucky, Norma Reddington of Reading, Ohio, Patty Nickell of Louisville, Kentucky, and Carla (Jerry) Schultz of Evansville Indiana, sister-in-law Mary Thompson of Tipp City, Ohio, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, Leslie McLaughlin, her son-in-law’s Ken Garnache and Todd Oltman, her parents Hobart and Lingle Nickell, her sisters Doris Edlin, Mary Schwing, Lenaar Wise, as well as brothers; James Nickell and Bob Nickell.
Edith was born in Hazel Green, Kentucky, reared in Milan, Indiana, (Milan High School Class of 1947) on a farm with her parents and ten brothers and sisters. Edith went on to graduate from Louisville General Hospital School of Nursing, earning her R.N., as well as, completing post graduate study in Obstetric nursing at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital, Jersey City, New Jersey. Edith worked in Army hospitals in California while Les served in the United States Army in Korea. They moved to Hamilton, Ohio after Les was honorably discharged. It was there that they built a home and reared a family. Retirement took them to Georgetown, Ohio, a place they truly enjoyed for many years.
Edith was skilled at many crafts including woodworking, sewing, needlepoint, and gardening. She and Les enjoyed many extended adventures, including camping across the United States and Canada. She was known for her wonderful ability to cook and her gift of hospitality. Edith loved the Lord and served in many ministries and capacities in their church homes: Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ohio, Lakota Hills Baptist Church in West Chester, Ohio, and later, Georgetown Baptist Church in Georgetown, Ohio. Edith, with her calm, caring demeanor, and generosity of heart, will be greatly missed. The world was a better place because she was in it.
Memorial gifts may be made to The Alzheimer’s Foundation or to Queen City Hospice.
Graveside service and burial will take place privately for the family.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place at a later date. Please check back soon for confirmed details. Condolences may be shared at www.MRFH.com