Karen Susan McLaughlin

Karen McLaughlin ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hall Funeral Home - Purcellville on Mar. 16, 2026.Karen Susan McLaughlin, 73, of Round Hill, Virginia, passed away on March 12th, 2026 at home following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on November 5th, 1952, in Arlington, Virginia and was raised in Falls Church, Virginia.Karen married the love of her life, Michael Francis McLaughlin, on November 2nd, 1974 at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, Virginia. They went on to have three children: Shane Thomas (47), Michelle Frances (43), and Austin Ford (40), raising their family in Round Hill, Virginia.Karen made her family the center of her life and devoted herself fully to raising her children. During those years, she volunteered frequently at her church, within the community, and at the schools her children attended. She was an active member of the PTA at Round Hill Elementary and loved being surrounded by her children and their classmates. Once Austin reached elementary school, she turned her passion for serving the church into a full-time role as the Director of Religious Education at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, Virginia.She saved the very best for last, as becoming a grandmother was the crown jewel of her life. In the time she had with her grandchildren, she filled it with enough love and memories to last several lifetimes. She made such a spectacle of Christmas she replaced Santa Claus himself in the eyes of her grandchildren.She made her family her life's work and her legacy lives on through them.Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Josephine Ford, her sister Lisa Ford, her father-in-law Dennis McLaughlin, and mother-in-law Frances McLaughlin.She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Michael McLaughlin, her children Shane McLaughlin, Michelle Rihn, and Austin McLaughlin, her daughters-in-laws Lisa McLaughlin and Jenny McLaughlin, her son-in-law Justin Rihn, and her pride and joy, her grandchildren: Ava McLaughlin (14), Emma McLaughlin (14), Caroline McLaughlin (12), Charlotte McLaughlin (10), Jordan Rihn (10), Hannah McLaughlin (9), Connor Rihn (8), and Reese McLaughlin (2).Karen is also survived by many dear friends, cousins (especially the one with the pink curlers), nieces and nephews, other beloved family members including her brother-in-law Thomas McLaughlin and sister-in-law Diane Findley, community members, members of her church, and her nurses and caretakers who made her final years as joyful and comfortable as possible.She spent her final days consoling those closest to her and will always be remembered for how big her love felt. She will be missed dearly by her loved ones left behind.Services will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 1:00pm, at Bluemont United Methodist Church, 33843 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135.In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Bluemont United Methodist Church or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Net (PanCAN.org) in her honor.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.