Berenice H. (Henrich) McLaughlin

Berenice (Henrich) McLaughlin, 85, of Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA died peacefully on October 19, 2022.

Our mother was born in Riverton and raised in Casper, Wyoming, the daughter of the late Dr. Melvin and Frances (Rate) Henrich. She was a graduate of Casper College, and then “came east” to Boston University.

Mom’s early career was at Filene’s department store, where she was an accessory buyer, kicking off a lifelong love of style and adventure, and it was then that she met our father, Philip. She left Filene’s to raise her five children. During those years, she found so many ways to express her creativity, love of beautiful things, and support for artists and artisans including Nahant Arts, Peninsula Players, The Berry Basket with her dear friend Debbie MacLean, Masco’s Art Festival with Terry Meinelt, and volunteering at the Essex Institute, When her carpooling days were over, she went back to work at Churchill’s in Newburyport, where she nurtured relationships with many artists, jewelry-makers, and the customers who trusted her discerning eye. 

Mom’s other passions were entertaining, education, and performing arts. She threw amazing gatherings and celebrations, where she taught us how to cook, decorate and host with love and style. She was always an active supporter of innovative public education. In Nahant, she and her friends were known as the Militant Montessori Mothers for their work to bring more progressive practices to the public schools. She was active in the PAC at Masconomet, and later in life was a volunteer tutor at Kelleher Park in Newburyport with Nancy Earls, and an ESL tutor in Lawrence. 

After moving to Sawyer Farm in Salisbury in 2006, she served on the Planning Board, worked at Pettengill Farm in Salisbury, and continued to be a volunteer usher at The Firehouse Center. After moving to Brooksby Village in 2017, she was active in the performing arts groups and the Treasure Chest. 

We are so grateful for all the care the Brooksby Village Assisted Living team provided to her in her last weeks, and a special shout out to all the young folks who work at Brooksby Village. She loved their energy!

Our mother is now with our father who died in 2005.  In her last years, she would often refer to herself as a little fighting tiger, mustering energy and determination that enabled her to live independently and thrive in her community.  In addition to those qualities, our mother leaves us a legacy of love, curiosity, gratitude, and generosity.  Our family will miss her deeply: Frances Anne McLaughlin and her husband, William Nourse, of Lebanon, NH, US Army Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Erin Catherine McLaughlin of Hyattsville, MD, Susanna McLaughlin Vandenberg of Newburyport, Sarah Jane McLaughlin of Boston, and Philip Henry (P.H.) McLaughlin, Jr.,and his wife, Tracy (Raine) of Falls Church, VA.; grandchildren Emma Elizabeth and Sadie Jane and their father, Jonathan Vandenberg, Georgia Catherine Nourse, and Philip Henry III and Harlowe Ilene McLaughlin; her brother, US Army Colonel (retired) Frank Henrich and his wife Bel (Mason), and several nieces and nephews.

We will celebrate our mother’s life at 11am, October 28th the First Religious Society on Pleasant Street in Newburyport. All are invited. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Brooksby Village Scholarship Fund, Attn: Finance Office, 300 Brooksby Village, Drive, Peabody, MA 01960.

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