Barbara J. (Gates) Mclaughlin

Barbara J. (Gates) McLaughlin, age 75, longtime resident of Amesbury, passed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, after a period of declining health. She was the devoted wife of Hugh F. McLaughlin, to whom she had been married for 42 years.

Born in Danvers, October 27, 1948, she was one of five children of the late Malcolm and Agnes (Gauthier) Gates and was a graduate of Danvers High School, after which she continued to further her education and earned an Associates Degree from Bryant & Stratton College.

For many years Barbara worked as an executive secretary at MIT, and loved all aspects of her position.

Barbara and Hugh did not have any children, but they certainly enjoyed being with their many nieces and nephews, whom they cherished dearly.

She is survived by her brother, Richard Gates of Nashua, NH; her sister, Sandra Durkee of Haverhill, along with several generations of nieces and nephews as well as extended family. She was predeceased by two brothers, Ronald Gates and Bruce Gates.

An hour of visitation will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 9 to 10 A.M. at the Highland chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home at 10 A.M. She will be laid to eternal rest at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amesbury, at a later date with a private family burial. It was her request to have donations in her memory to Our Neighbors Table, P..O.Box 592, Amesbury, MA 01913.