Amy McLaughlin is described by her loved ones as remarkably beautiful and graceful. Those characteristics, they say, were only eclipsed by the inner strength and wisdom she displayed. Amy was a beloved and adored wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She never met a stranger.

Born and raised in Central Texas, Amy attended primary and secondary school in San Antonio and later enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics in 1954. She married John Mark McLaughlin, fellow UT Austin alumni, shortly after.

After leaving the Forty Acres, Mark and Amy lived in various places throughout Central Texas before making San Angelo their home. Together they share four children: Michael, who passed away when he was an infant, Laure, Brian and Matthew.

Although Amy’s devotion to and pride in her family – especially her grandchildren – was unmatched, the pride she felt for her civic work in San Angelo and with UT Austin closely followed. In San Angelo, Amy served as president of the San Angelo Junior League, a nonprofit organization designed to address needs in local communities, and was a longtime board member or officer of: The Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council, and the San Angelo Symphony Society.

In 2001, Amy served as co-chair of a committee established to raise funds to build the Sarah M. & Charles E. Seay Building on campus. As an expression of appreciation for her efforts, the university named part of the building for Amy. Mark created the Amy Johnson McLaughlin Administrative Chair in Home Economics in 2008 to promote excellence within the Department of Human Ecology, and to honor Amy’s legacy.

January 18, 2019