Iris Marie Mclaughlin

Iris Marie (nee: Birdwell) McLaughlin, age 85, died December 8, 2021, at St. John Hospital, preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Edgar McLaughlin. Iris was born January 6,1936 in Detroit Michigan, daughter of Eldon E Birdwell and Theda M (nee: Mosher) Birdwell.

Iris is preceded in death by her siblings: Eldon (Diane) Birdwell, Joyce (Nick) Menzo, Donald (Helen) Birdwell, Robert (Rosita) Birdwell, Edith (Guy) Denardo, and Joan Ann Jimenez; She is survived by her sister Carol (Sam) Munzo, and her 4 children, Brian (Renee) McLaughlin, Kimberly (Antonio) Guzzo, Kirk (Nancy) McLaughlin, and Sherryl (Mike) Butz. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Christopher (Michelle) McLaughlin, Stephanie McLaughlin, Scott (Laural) Wallace, Kristin (Jordan) Suchoski, Danielle Butz (and fiance Jordan Pitts), Michael Jr (Rachel) Butz, Trisha (Chad) Ballard, and 11 great-grandchildren: Emily, Delanie, Vincent, Addison, Caleb, Amelia, Riley, Lila, Jaxon, Everett, and Oliver.

Iris truly enjoyed being around children, and worked as a lunch mom at Shorewood Elementary in St. Clair Shores for many years. She also spent years working at Rose Mack bingo hall, and even enjoyed playing there in her spare time. One of the memories she loved to talk about was her trip to Hawaii with her husband for their 25th wedding anniversary. She also used to travel to Florida annually with her sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She became close with many of her neighbors, having lived in the same house since 1956. She loved playing pranks on all the neighborhood kids, including scaring them with a flashlight under her chin in the dark, and hosing them down from the window when they weren't expecting it.

Iris was a beautiful soul inside and out. She didn't believe in swearing, so you'd often hear her use terms such as "fink," "dagnabit," and "son of a gun." One her grandchildren remember well is, "oh Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue..." She was always smiling, always putting others first, and everyone knew they could count on her for anything. Iris was loved by all her nieces, nephews and many dear friends, and she will truly be missed.

Please share your memories of Iris at her memory book above.