Mary Anne Mclaughlin Putnam

Mary Anne McLaughlin Putnam, 86, a resident of Uhrichsville, entered eternal rest on February 9, 2014, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Bellingham, WA, on April 11, 1927, the daughter of the late William Francis McLaughlin and Mary Bertha (Jackson) McLaughlin.

She and her family moved to Dennison in 1943. She was a 1945 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and went on to attend Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio. While pursuing her studies, Mary Anne was also employed as a legal secretary.

On April 3, 1948, she married Robert Edmund Putnam and treasured her 65 years of marriage. She was a devout Catholic by faith and has been a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Church and its Altar Society in Dennison. Mary Anne was an avid writer and published many articles for the vicariate of the Diocese of Columbus, as well as many short stories in other publications.

Mary Anne was known by all for her gentle smile, loving nature, and her great love of children. As a mother of eleven children, she was a true homemaker, using her many domestic skills, such as sewing, cooking, and baking to provide many household items for her large family, as well as her church community. Her creative cakes, fudge, and candy were always welcome treats at the St. Mary’s festival, and her bread baking skills were also appreciated within the Rush Township community.

Mary Anne also had a great passion for music, and she inspired that passion in her children by teaching them how to play the piano and read music. Music was always heard in the Putnam household.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Robert E. Putnam; daughters, Kathy (Harold) Hawkins of New Albany, Susan (Larry) Davis of Massillon, Barbara (Earl) Arnold of Dennison, Christine (Steve) Rober of Dennison, and Maureen (Tom) Speckhard of Sartell, MN; sons, Robert (Debra) of Gnadenhutten, Neil (Jackie) of New Philadelphia, Mike (Dena) of Gnadenhutten, Edmund of Inverness, FL, Steve (Davey) of New Philadelphia, and Thomas of North Canton; 27 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary Anne is preceded in death by her only brother, William McLaughlin.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison with a 6:45 p.m. Christian Wake Service that evening. A funeral mass, celebrated by Father Anthony Lonzo, will be at Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery near Dennison.

Mary Anne’s family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Beacon Pointe and Tridia Hospice for their excellent care during her final illness. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Immaculate Conception Church’s Altar Society, 206 N. 1st St., Dennison, OH 44621 and to Tridia Hospice, 4680 Douglas Circle, Canton, OH 44718.