ATHOL – Natalie R. (Callahan) O’Laughlin of Athol passed away at the Holden Nursing Home at the age of 90 on November 21, 2016.
Natalie was born in Montague, MA to the late William J. and Ruth A. (McRae) Callahan on September 25, 1926 and lived her entire life in Athol.
She attended Athol Schools and graduated from Athol High School with the Class of 1945. Natalie attended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH and graduated with a degree in secretarial science in 1947. While at Colby-Sawyer, she was captain of the ski team and often joked about skiing into the month of May. After graduation, Natalie worked for Attorney William Garbose and chose to leave her position when she married her high school sweetheart, James O’Laughlin. Natalie spent the next several years as a housewife and mother until she returned to the workforce to help in the family business, O’Laughlin Clothing in Athol. In the mid 1980’s, Natalie became a special deputy in the Worcester County Sheriff’s department and worked alongside her husband in the Northern Worcester County Office. In spite of her various roles in life, Natalie was most proud of her family. Her first priority was always her family and she loved being surrounded by her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. There are many fond memories of the family enjoying the pool and house Natalie so loved.
Natalie is survived by her daughters: Maureen Krustapentus and her husband Thomas of Nashua, NH, Elizabeth Hardy and her husband Lawrence of Holden, Catherine Robbins and her husband Michael of Holden, Patricia Pandiscio and her husband David of Athol, with whom she lived with for several years, and Mary O’Laughlin of Salem; former daughter-in-law Elizabeth Sandoval of TN; Eleven grandchildren and their spouses; twelve great grandchildren. Natalie also leaves sisters-in-law Jan Callahan of CA, Kathleen Ginn of VA, several nieces, nephews and her beloved cousin Alfred Cotton of ME and Jack Cotton of Cape Cod. Natalie’s strength, faith, and quick Irish wit will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Natalie is predeceased by her husband James M. O’Laughin Jr. and their beloved son, Thomas, as well as brother’s Jack and Bob Callahan.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff and employees of Holden Nursing Home and Rehab who took such extraordinary care of Natalie and the entire extended family for the past 3 years. We are eternally grateful to all.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Natalie’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society's, New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association, 60 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery.
Calling ours will be held Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 2:00PM to 4:00 PM in the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, Ma 01364.
To view the online guest book or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com
Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange is assisting with arrangements.
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