In Memory of Dorothy 11/15/1935 - 5/3/2017

Born November 15, 1935 in Burlington, Vermont, 'Dot' as she was so lovingly called, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2017 at Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center in Walsenburg, CO.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 61 years, Elwin McLaughlin, whom she married on February 27, 1956 before he joined the United States Army.

Dot was raised by her aunt and uncle until she was well into her teenage years.  After graduating high school she married her high school sweetheart, 'Mac'.  She took on the role of military wife, and traveled to live wherever the Army sent she and her husband.  She eventually became a mother, and what followed after was her role in raising six children and being a stay at home mom.  Upon her husbands retirement in 1974, she found herself firmly planted in Woodbridge, Virginia.  She enjoyed sewing, gardening and bird watching.  She was also a devout Christian who loved God and lived her life in His honor.  Dot and Mac called Woodbridge home for nearly forty years before making the decision to move half way across the country to Colorado Springs, Colorado where they thrived and embraced a slower pace of life.

She will be lovingly missed by her children, Beth Staats of Woodbridge, Virginia, Lee McLaughlin and his wife Patty of New Market, Virginia, Duane McLaughlin and his wife Maria of Citrus Heights, California, Steven McLaughlin and his wife Betty Jane of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Sheila McLaughlin of Colorado Springs, CO.  She was predeceased by another daughter, Lavonne McLaughlin who she has joyously reunited with in heaven.

She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren:  Joshua Staats, Matthew Staats, Lee McLaughlin Jr., Kristina McLaughlin, Melissa McLaughlin, Dalton McLaughlin II, Nicole McLaughlin, Jessica Pastell, Steven McLaughlin Jr., Hannah Baker, Keven Jones Jr., Isaac Jones and twelve great-grandchildren:  Trevor Staats, Tyler Staats, Tori Staats, Christopher Staats, Jillian Staats, Amelia Staats, Zoe McLaughlin, Kendall McLaughlin, Jayden McLaughlin, Mackenzi Pastell, Ainsley Pastell and Finely Pastell.

She will also be missed by a large extended family, long time friends, caretakers and many others as she touched every life that she met in some way.

A memorial service will be held on June 15, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Lighthouse Baptist Church, located at 4280 Hopeful Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly think about making a donation in Dot's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or another charity of your choice.  Dorothy suffered from Dementia in her later years, a disease that took her mind from her, but not memories from those that loved her dearly.

The family would like to thank all of those that kept Dot and the entire family in their thoughts and prayers, and those that reached out during this most difficult time.  We as a family would like to also extend many heartfelt thanks to all at Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center for making the last years of her life fun, exciting and most importantly comfortable.