Mary McLaughlin: A caring philosophy

Service is about the little things for Mary McLaughlin.

The Sedalia resident, who is active in many organizations around town, said her philosophy is to do things that connect the pieces — or people — together.

“I do what I can. Sometimes it’s a little thing. I think we all have an obligation to be part of making our community better, so I try and if I’m doing something, I really want to do it joyfully ... I truly want it to be something I put my heart into,” she said.

Whether its helping an individual in need or doing something for an organization, McLaughlin, 66, a finalist for the Freedom Torch Award for Community Service, said she tries to do the little things that help everyone get the job done.

“Sometimes a person needs that connecting link. They need to be moved on to the next level. I really believe a lot in individual, personal responsibility, but I feel, what are we here for? We’re here for each other,” she said.

That’s the reason Sedalia resident Wanda Monsees nominated McLaughlin.

“It’s really hard to talk about the impact Mary McLaughlin has on the community, because so much of what she does she does on the condition of anonymity,” Monsees said.

Monsees likened McLaughlin’s impact to an old joke about blind men grasping hold of an elephant. Each can only feel a small piece of the elephant, so none have the true picture.

“I always think that’s kind of the effect that Mary McLaughlin has on our community,” she said.

McLaughlin’s efforts inspire others to be more self-reliant and independent, she said.

“She’s so tuned into the community that here comes a little donation or a little act ... and suddenly, it makes things a little easier, a little less challenging, and it makes the rest of us feel more empowered,” she said.

McLaughlin, who works with Sedalia Downtown Development Inc., said she is involved with a number of organizations, including the American Red Cross and American Field Service, a cultural exchange program.

“I’m happy to get involved in things, and I like the little things as well as the bigger things,” she said, citing downtown efforts as one of the bigger things. “I may not always be in a leadership role ... I’m somebody that loves to say ‘Yes.’ ”

McLaughlin also has been active in women’s organizations and taught women’s history at State Fair Community College. She has spoken to a variety of groups about women’s history.

“I was looking for an opportunity to do something I felt strongly about,” she said.

McLaughlin said she feels it’s important to be involved in her community.

“We don’t have to have more or own more to be more, and that doesn’t cost anybody anything. I can be a better employer, I can be a better grandmother, I can be a better friend, and we’re not talking about laying out money to do that. So I think those are kind of my underlying philosophies,” she said.

McLaughlin, who owns McLaughlin Funeral Chapel and McLaughlin Bros. Furniture, said as a funeral director, she sees how important the gifts of life and opportunity are.

“We still have a lot that we control. I’m real big on attitude. In fact, there’s a quote, ‘Attitude is everything so pick a good one,’ ” she said.

Every day there are opportunities to help people, learn and make a difference.

“I have a quote from my grandfather, ‘When in doubt, follow your most generous impulse.’ And that’s always steered me,” she said.

McLaughlin was also nominated by Sedalia resident Sara Bass, who wrote, “Mary’s service to this community goes far beyond what is known. Mary McLaughlin is an outstanding citizen and one who truly believes in service to others.”