Catherine "Dolly" Laughlin

Catherine “Dolly” Alice Laughlin, of Duluth, was taken to heaven on Monday May 27, 2024, from Ecumen Rehab in Duluth, MN following a brief struggle with metastatic cancer.  Dolly was born at home on May 29, 1936, in Buffalo, NY to John J Fahey and Catherine (Leahy) Fahey.  

Dolly graduated from Sisters of Charity Hospital nursing program in 1957 and worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo. While there, she met the love of her life (our Dad) while he was a patient in the hospital in Buffalo. They married in December 1958. The family relocated to Duluth, MN in 1970. After her children had grown some, she returned to nursing, working as an RN at St. Mary’s Medical Center on 6W and retired from there in 1995.

After retiring, Dolly and Joe became “snowbirds,” residing in Sun City, AZ for winters and returned to Duluth each summer to enjoy time with their children and many grandchildren at their lake house on Island Lake, just outside Duluth.

Dolly was a sweet lady with a kind heart. In her Nursing School 1957 yearbook, it says printed by her name and picture, “One could mark her merry nature by the twinkle in her eye.” This quote perfectly captures her joyous nature and sweet disposition that quickly made her beloved by those she met. We repeatedly heard upbeat feedback about Mom from Ecumen Assisted Living staff and medical providers how she was very sweet, always pleasant and very funny.  “We just love your Mom” was a frequent comment we never grew tired of hearing.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph Laughlin in 2012, her son Kevin (2016), and her brothers Bob (1981) and Jack (1982).  She was the loving mother of six children. Joseph Jr (Verree) of Yuma, Ariz., Shawn (Jill) of Grand Rapids, MN, Michael (Diane) of Duluth, Kevin deceased, Robert of Minneapolis; and one daughter, Colleen (Greg) Mielke of Duluth; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Dolly loved the sunshine, and not a day would go by without her asking about the weather and if we would see Mr. Sunshine today.   Her favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. She was thankful for God’s love for her, and Jesus dying for her sins.   She now is enjoying the Son up in heaven where it’s eternally a great day.  We will miss her dearly.

Visitation will occur on Sunday, June 2^nd from 4p-6p at Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 12p on Monday, June 3^rd at St. John’s Catholic Church until funeral service at 1pm. Interment to follow.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home (600 E. 2^nd St., Duluth, MN 55805)