Mary C. McLaughlin, M.D.

Mrs. Mary C. McLaughlin, M.D. passed away on the morning of June 12 at her home at New Seasons at New Britain in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Born in 1920 to Irish immigrants Peter and Mary Culhane from County Waterford, Mary grew up in Washington Heights, New York and attended Hunter High and Hunter College. Following college and the outbreak of World War II Mary began studies at New York University School of Medicine receiving her M.D. in three years in 1946. She interned at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City and continued with a Residency in Public Health with the New York City Department of Health.
Mary originally entered private practice after residency, but found that public service was her true calling. She became a District Health Officer in New York City in 1954 and was promoted to Borough Director of Health of Queens County in 1959, a position she maintained until she advanced to Assistant Commissioner for Professional and Community Health Services and on to Associate Deputy Commissioner of Health .
Mary and Jack moved to Munsey Park in 1960.
In 1969 she was named Commissioner of Health of the City of New York by Mayor John V. Lindsey where she served until 1972. In 1973 Mary assumed the duties of Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services under then County Supervisor John Klein. In 1976 She joined the staff of the Long Island Jewish Hospital as Chairman of the Department of Community Medicine which included overseeing the operations of the hospital Emergency Services.
Mary’s certifications, awards and citations, too extensive to list include:
President of the American College of Preventive Medicine
Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine
Fellow of the American Public Health Association
Professor of Community Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Cited in The World Who’s Who of Women
Who’s Who of American Women
Mary has received over 20 awards for distinguished service in Public Health including
Woman of the Year of Molloy College
Hall of Fame, Hunter College
Distinguished Alumna, NYU Medical School
Despite leading such a demanding professionally life, Mary always made time for her passions, bridge, golf and crossword puzzles, attacking the NY Times Sunday edition feverishly until completed every week.
Mary leaves behind her loving husband Jack of 67 years, daughter Fran Finn (John) grandchildren Colleen-Mara Ridenhour (Brian), Noreen Cadigan (Bill) and John Finn III (Sarah), as well as the great -grandchildren she adored, William, Kristen and Riley.
Mary truly will be missed by her family and friends, but because of her talents which she shared so generously, our world is a far better place. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested a donation to: Hospice Compassus, 711 N. York Road, 2nd Fl, Willow Grove, PA 19090.