Barbara C. McLaughlin , 81, of Heritage Village, Southbury, Connecticut, passed away on February 24 following a brief illness. Barbara was the daughter of the late John J. Connor Jr. and Margaret Clark Connor. She was pre-deceased by her husband William P. McLaughlin, and is survived by sons John McLaughlin and his wife Wendy of Westlake Village, CA, and Robert McLaughlin and his wife Donna of Brewster NY. Barbara is also survived by grandchildren Connor, Taylor and Sophie.

Barbara graduated from Deering High School in Portland Maine, Middlebury College in Middlebury Vermont and attended graduate school at George Washington University in Washington D.C. After college Barbara was employed as an analyst at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade Maryland.

After settling in Portsmouth Rhode Island, Barbara became active in local politics. She was elected to the Portsmouth School Committee in 1976, serving as Chairman from 1978 to 1980, and to the Portsmouth Town Council in 1988, 1990, and 1992, serving as President from 1992 to 1994. Barbara also served on the Zoning Board of Review, and was elected to and served as moderator on the Portsmouth Water Board from 1995 - 1998.

Barbara moved to Southbury Connecticut in 1999, and soon became active in local politics. She was appointed to the Southbury Board of Selectmen in 2004 and successfully ran for election to the board in 2005 and 2007. Barbara also served as President of the Heritage Village Republican Club.

There will be calling hours in Woodbury Connecticut and Portsmouth Rhode Island, with funeral services in Rhode Island.

Memorials: none specified.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: A funeral will be held from the Connors Funeral Home at 10am to St. Barnabus Church, 1697 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, Rhode Island for an 11am mass on Saturday March 2nd at St. Barnabus Church,. Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Visitation: In Woodbury, calling hours will be from 3 - 6pm on February 27th at the Munson -Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St., with a ceremony at 5: 30pm. In Portsmouth, calling hours will be from 3 - 5pm and 7 - 9pm on Friday March 1st at Connors Memorial Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd. Portsmouth, Rhode Island.