Mary was born in Yeadon, PA, on January 30, 1938, to Mary L. and Francis J. Duggan.

In the 1950s, Mary and her family, including her brother, Francis J. (Duke) Duggan, moved to Dewey Beach, DE, where they built, owned, and operated The Starboard Restaurant and Saloon throughout the '60s, '70s, and early '80s. It was there in Dewey Beach while bartending at The Starboard that Mary (aka Dixie) met her husband, Paul J. McLaughlin Sr. They likely fell in love on the dance floor at The Bottle & Cork, dancing the jitterbug. They married on January 11, 1964, and started their life together in the Cleland Heights neighborhood (St. Elizabeth Parish) of Wilmington. Over the next 40 years they welcomed five children and enjoyed a wonderful family life filled with laughter, love, and quite a bit of chaos.

Mary was predeceased by her loving dance partner Paul on May 10, 2002. She is survived by her children: Paul J. McLaughlin (Lisa), Megan M. Pegram (Bill), Tim McLaughlin (Charlie), Sean McLaughlin (Stacey), and Brian McLaughlin (Alison), by her sister-in-law, Anne Marie McLaughlin, her brother-in-law, Bill McLaughlin and his wife, Mary Ann. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Will, Nathan, and Emma Pegram; Kevin, Aidan, and Erin McLaughlin; and Ella and Liam McLaughlin; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Her quick wit, ability to spin a yarn, and deep love for her family will always be remembered and dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass for Mary at St. Joseph on the Brandywine R.C. Church, 10 Old Church Rd., Wilmington, DE, on Tuesday, August 20 at 10:30am. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 am to 10:30am.