Elaine Janet McLaughlin, nee Govoni, died May 28, 2025 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was born July 28, 1935 in New Bedford, MA to Joseph Govoni and Ruby Sharples Govoni and grew up in Wareham, MA.

Elaine attended Wareham schools and earned a BA at Regis College, followed by an MA in Education at Bridgewater State Teachers College. She taught English and French at Hingham Middle School. In 1963 she married Lawrence B. McLaughlin, Jr., whom she called "Scoop." Together they built a life in Pembroke MA. Scoop died in 1991. They are survived by their five children: Joseph McLaughlin (Miriam Shadis) of Athens, OH; Kathryn Slater (Brian Wick) of Plympton, MA; Elizabeth McLaughlin of Quincy, MA; Sara McLaughlin of Old Orchard Beach, ME; Michael McLaughlin (Caroline Sokol) of Belmont MA. Elaine was "Grammie" to twelve beloved grandchildren: Henry, Emma, Lucas, Patrick, Colin, Leah, Kyla, Neil, Sean, Sam, Owen and Will. She was delighted in the past year to have become a great-grandmother to Emerson Layne. She is also survived by her brother Stephen Govoni, brother- and sister-in-law Norman and Sandra McLaughlin, brother-in-law Bill Scarbrough and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elaine was predeceased by her parents, husband and sister, Fay Thurston.

Elaine's greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved family gatherings, Christmas and summer afternoons by the backyard pool. She took great pride in her Italian and English heritage and loved traveling to Europe and the Caribbean. In her twenties she and her girlfriends drove cross-country from Massachusetts to California – and back. She was a voracious reader, a Red Sox and Patriots fan, and a talented seamstress and knitter. She loved classical music and opera and was a gifted pianist. A devout Catholic, Elaine was a long-time member of St. Thecla's Parish in Pembroke, where she taught religious education for many years.

Elaine's children would especially like to thank the devoted staff at Newfield House in Plymouth, MA, who took loving care of their mother in the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) or to Catholic Relief Services (support.crs.org).

Funeral arrangements will be under the care of the Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court Street, Plymouth. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, May 30 from 5-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 10:30 am at Saint Peter's Church, 86 Court Street, Plymouth, with interment following at the Pembroke Center Cemetery.