Aurelia McLaughlin

Aurelia was born in Syracuse, NY, to Albert & Aurelia (DePan) Kurtz and grew up in Mattydale, where she graduated from North High. 

She was commonly called “Tinka,” a term of endearment given by her father after a powerful woman cartoon character, “Katrinka,” of the 1920s. Tinka passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96 at The Hearth at Greenpoint assisted living facility. Tinka met her husband, Harold, and they married on November 4, 1950, at St Margaret’s Catholic Church in Mattydale. 

They began their family in Mattydale and moved to Cicero in 1964, where she and Harold raised 10 children. Their oldest son, Danny, was tragically lost in a motorcycle accident in 1972. When her children were old enough, Tinka began a career in the accounting department at Sears and Roebuck until her retirement in the 1990s. Tinka was an avid reader; she enjoyed flowers, bird watching, and gardening. She and Harold enjoyed volunteering at Sacred Heart Church in Cicero and also enjoyed trips to Florida after their retirement. 

Tinka & Harold enjoyed 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2012. 

Tinka was predeceased by her parents and siblings Edward, Albert, Dorothea, Marguerite, Betty, and Lolly (Elizabeth). 

Tinka is survived by her children - Margaret Millert, Thomas (Marcia) McLaughlin, Joseph (Marilyn) McLaughlin, Martin (Lisa) McLaughlin, Peter (Thamara) McLaughlin, James (Mariane) McLaughlin, Matthew (Nancy) McLaughlin, Patrick (Leni) McLaughlin, Mary (Arthur) D’Addario. 22 Grand Children –Amy Sheldon, Michelle McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin, John Paul McLaughlin, Meredith McLaughlin, Kristin Soliday, James McLaughlin, Michael McLaughlin, Kate McLaughlin, Timothy McLaughlin, Christopher Welch, Jennifer McLaughlin, Megan Nadler, Allison McGraw, Leslie Ausburn, Shannon Woughter, Josh McLaughlin, William McLaughlin, Cassie McLaughlin, Connor McLaughlin, Caitriona McLaughlin, Antoinette Kimball. 23 great-grandchildren – Ethan, Adrienne, Amos, Audrey, Elam, Silas, Abel, Truly, Ella, Nahum, Evelyn, Brooks, Benjamin, Evelyn, Mac, August, Sammy, Eden, Elliora, Lilith, Riley, Wren, and Charlie.

The family thanks the staff at The Hearth for the wonderful care they provided to Tinka for the past four years. There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be at Sacred Heart Church in Cicero, NY, on April 23 at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in St Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Syracuse Chapter). Click here to donate. or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click here to donate.

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