Obituary: Carol Ann McLaughlin, 1956 - 2026

Carol Ann (Broschart) McLaughlin, age 70, of Nantucket, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 11, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital.

She was born on July 23, 1956, in Upper Arlington, Ohio, to Eileen (LeFevre) and Leo Broschart. She was the older sister of Diane (Broschart) Rodriguez and Charlie Broschart. She grew up in Ohio and graduated from Ohio Dominican University, where she majored in education. A lifelong Ohio State football fan, she loved to tell stories of her time spent with Coach Woody Hayes.

She had two children, Joey McLaughlin and Megan (McLaughlin) Abbott. Her children, and then later in life her grandchildren, were her entire world. As a lifelong educator, she always managed to make any child who crossed her path feel immensely loved and incredibly special.

As many can attest, she always had a passion for people and animals in need of extra love and attention, no matter their circumstances. She had a special talent for making people feel seen when they otherwise could have been invisible.

She was predeceased by her parents. She leaves behind her son, Joey McLaughlin, and daughter-in-law, Samantha McLaughlin, of Nantucket; her daughter, Megan (McLaughlin) Abbott, and son-in-law, Paul Abbott, of Nantucket; her grandchildren, Lorraine and Theo McLaughlin, and Jack and Molly Abbott; her sister, Diane (Broschart) Rodriguez, and brother-in-law, Dave Rodriguez; her brother, Charlie Broschart, and sister-in-law, Beth Broschart; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She also leaves behind a legacy of many beloved foster children, “adopted” children who often referred to her as their second mom, and countless friends.

More than anything, she leaves behind the legacy of never having had a shortage of love to share, and her family looks forward to carrying that forward.

At this time, no formal service is planned, but a celebration of life will be held in the coming months that will make her proud.

To share in her passion for working with and supporting students with special needs, we ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nantucket STAR Program.

Donations may be sent to:

Nantucket STAR Program
P.O. Box 3423
Nantucket, MA 02584