Obituary of Anita T. McLoughlin

Anita T. McLoughlin (nee McNeela), 81, of Breezy Point, NY, peacefully passed away on May 29, 2024 surrounded by her large and loving family. 

The oldest of the five children of Ita and Martin McNeela, Anita was born in Derry City, Ireland on May 24, 1943.  Her early childhood was split between Derry and Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland before the family emigrated to Brooklyn, NY where Anita spent her formative years.  She was educated at Good Shepherd School (Marine Park, Brooklyn) and Stella Maris High School (Rockaway Beach).  Upon graduation from Stella Maris in 1961, she embarked on her professional career at the phone company.

Her initial career track proved short-lived, though, as she soon met the love her life, Charlie McLoughlin, in a seemingly chance encounter while he was diligently stocking shelves at Arenstein’s Pharmacy.  Unwittingly to both of them, this “chance” encounter was secretly facilitated by Sam Arenstein, proprietor of the pharmacy and neighbor of the McNeelas, who saw the potential beauty in bringing these two together. 

It was then that she found her true vocation: loving wife and devoted mother.  Charlie and Anita were married in Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Midwood, Brooklyn on October 22, 1966 and they soon began to build a life and family together, ultimately having nine children from 1968 to 1982.  The family continued to grow into the next generation, culminating in 30 grandchildren.

Being a mom was her true calling.  Contrary to what may seem typical of large broods, Anita always made sure to devote special attention to each of the kids and ensured that they knew that each one had a special place in her heart. 

Despite the considerable demands of an ever-expanding family, Anita was constantly a “shining light” and was reliably the life of the party.  Cue up the first few notes of Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood” and you’d find her tirelessly whirling away on the dance floor with any variety of dance partners who could dare keep up (which caused no consternation for Charlie so long as he himself wasn’t dragged onto the dance floor!).  Also bearing a beautiful melodic voice – but shunning the spotlight – she was known to lend her talents to the church choir and other singing groups.  She was also a skilled, self-taught seamstress, industriously designing and sewing First Communion or wedding dresses for family and friends and made the best Irish Soda Bread.

Beset in more recent years by Parkinson’s disease, while it significantly curtailed the vitality of this once robust woman, she always maintained a positive spirit among her brood and that winsome smile still illuminated until the end.

Survived by her husband, Charlie, her nine children-Brendan (Jane) McLoughlin, Meg McLoughlin, Jeannie (BY) Yorke, Charlie (Mary) McLoughlin, Danny (Linda) McLoughlin, Kieran (Sean) O’Sullivan, Aileen (Nick) Brucella, Brianne (Billy) Fitzgerald, Michael (Aimee) McLoughlin, 30 grandchildren (Callie, Meaghan, Katie, Bridget, Brian, Caroline, Colleen, Lucy, Isabelle, Owen, Caitlin, Fiona, Charlotte, Daniel, Hank, Seanie, Casie, Amelia, Annelise, Shannon, Julianna, Charlie, Will, Olivia, Seamus, Nuala, Mickey, Grace, Rose, and Baby James), her brothers Eugene (Dutchie) McNeela, Brian (Kevin) McNeela , and sister Moira (Jude) Hayes, and many extended in-laws, nieces, and nephews.