Francena McLaughlin Obituary (1927 - 2021)

FARMINGDALE - Francena Z. McLaughlin, “The Fudge Lady”, 94, of Farmingdale, Maine, passed away on July 5, 2021, at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta. She was born in Prentiss, Maine on February 18, 1927, to Clifton and Rita Stanley. From a young age, she worked in restaurants as a server where she loved each and every one of her customers. She thought of them as her friends and enjoyed a lifetime of friendships with many. She married Laurence McLaughlin in 1945 and they enjoyed a 43-year marriage. As a struggling, young couple blessed with five children in five years, they packed their car and ventured off to Manhattan Beach, California in search of a better life for their family. Once their children became teenagers, they returned to their beautiful home state of Maine and started S & M Honda in Farmingdale, Maine. Francena loved her children and was always happy to open her home to their friends. She quickly became known as “Ma” to so many throughout the county. Every holiday season, she would plan for weeks to host her special Christmas celebration, excitedly awaiting for her entire family to gather at her home. She enjoyed driving along the coast of Maine in search of the perfect lobster roll. She also loved visiting Las Vegas whenever she could, always believing she was going to “hit the jackpot”. She was predeceased by her husband, son Edgar McLaughlin, daughter Jacqueline McLaughlin Jordan, grandson Edgar Jordan, and stepson Wendell McLaughlin, and so many other precious loved ones who will be awaiting her arrival. She leaves behind three children, Vicki Morse and husband David of Pittston; Isaac McLaughlin and Donna of Gardiner; and Jill Blake and husband Ben of Phippsburg. She is also survived by her brother Ronald Stanley and his wife Toby of Carratunk; daughter-in-law Kazuko McLaughlin of Torrance, CA; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She loved each and every one with all her heart. There will be a graveside service at the Central Maine Veterans Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta, Maine, on Monday, July 26, 2021, at 1:00 PM. Following, there will be a celebration of life at the Elks Club, 397 Civic Center Drive Augusta, Maine. The family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff at the Maine Veterans Home and Maine General Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330