Mona McLaughlin Booe

Charlotte, NC - Mrs. Mona Margaret McLaughlin Booe, age 96, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2020 at Southminster Retirement Community. She was born on February 14, 1924 to the late George T. McLaughlin and Cecelia M. Parent in Waterbury, Vermont.

Mona was the youngest daughter of twelve children. Mona was predeceased by Frank F. McLaughlin, Harold G. McLaughlin, Guy B. McLaughlin, Joseph L. McLaughlin, Medora McLaughlin Fox, Florence McLaughlin Marston, George H. McLaughlin, Paul McLaughlin, Mildred McLaughlin Howlett, Wilma McLaughlin Corti, and John H. McLaughlin.

Mona graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre, Vermont in 1942. While at Spaulding, Mona loved participating in sports with her siblings. Mona also loved to dance and had to be accompanied by one of her brothers to the many local dances she attended. As the youngest daughter, Mona spent lots of time driving her father to Wells Beach, Maine and Marblehead, Massachusetts, where they vacationed at the beach and visited her father’s brothers.

Mona married William Anderson Booe on January 21, 1961. After their wedding and honeymoon, the couple resided in Easton, Pennsylvania where Mrs. Booe was the Director of Education for Warner Brothers and Mr. Booe was the Head Golf Professional at the Country Club of NorthHampton.

Mona and Billy started their family when William M. Booe was born on June 19, 1962. Her daughter, Barbara Louise Booe, was later born on April 2, 1965. Though Mona maintained her roots in Vermont, the family lived in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey before settling in Charlotte, NC in 1970 when Mr. Booe became the Executive Director of the Kemper Open Golf Tournament. Mona was an amazing mother and created a home full of love, respect, and support. She was a phenomenal cook and entertainer and was known for hosting numerous neighborhood pool parties, cocktail and dinner parties, celebrations, and birthday parties for her family and friends alike.

Both Mona and her husband were very active in the lives of their children. At an early age, Billy Jr. was involved in athletics and ultimately focused on becoming a professional golfer. Barbara was a cheerleader, an accomplished vocalist, and a stage performer. Whether at Charlotte Latin School or Billy’s and Barbara’s colleges, Mona and Billy Sr. could usually be found watching a game, or play, or on the golf course.

Golf was a big part of the family as Billy Sr. and Billy Jr. both played professionally. Billy Sr. worked for the PGA Tour and ran professional golf events for over 20 years. Most people don’t know that Mona was also a golfer as well. She loved being on the golf course and playing with her husband and son. As an avid fan of the sport, the family spent many hours attending golf tournaments and watching golf events on TV with her.

After retiring from Professional Golf in 1981, Billy Sr. and Mona started their own promotional products company called The Wentworth Company. Mona was responsible for running the business and her husband was responsible for sales. In 1986, Billy Jr. joined the family business, ultimately purchasing the company in 1991. This gave Mona and Billy Sr. the opportunity to travel and see the world. They visited Japan, made several trips to China, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, and loved taking river boat cruises throughout Europe.

After traveling, Mona and Bill enjoyed being grandparents to Kaitlin Alyssa Booe, Hallie Booe Schellhorn, Robert Christopher Chase, and Harrison Grady Chase. Their house continued to host numerous birthday parties, pool parties, and other family gatherings over the years.

Billy Sr. passed away in November of 2005, shortly and sadly before the birth of William R. Booe on June 8, 2006. Mona continued to be the ultimate grandmother, celebrating the birthdays and milestones of all five of her grandchildren. After all, the most important thing to Mona was her family and doing everything she could to love, support, comfort, and help them understand that being a family is the most important part of life. It is a trait that she has passed down to her entire family.

Mona moved to Southminster in 2009, where she continued to maintain her own home until she transitioned into assisted living. During her time at Southminster, she had many friends, loved to attend parties and events, and was known as one of the best bridge players at Southminster. Mona also loved to give back to her friends and community. As many of her friends began to transition into assisted living, Mona frequently visited the Healthcare floor to host bridge games for the Healthcare residents. She transitioned into assisted living in January of 2020 where she lived the remaining days of her life.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Pastor Scott Suskovic of Christ Lutheran Church, as well as to the staff and healthcare workers at Southminster Retirement Community. Words simply cannot express the gratitude and thanks we have for the love and kindness extended to Mona during her time there, especially as she transitioned into assisted living and lived there during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for the love and care you provided. You are a very special group of people. As such, the family would like to recommend that Memorial contributions be made to Southminster Life Enrichment.

A private viewing was held for the family at Harry & Bryant Funeral Home in Charlotte, NC on July 8, 2020. A celebration of life service may be held at a later date. Mona M. Booe will be buried at Wilson Cemetery in Barre, VT later this month.

Mona Booe is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William M. and April R. Booe; her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Robert L. Chase; as well as her grandchildren: Kaitlin Booe, Hallie and husband Jeremy Schellhorn, William R. Booe, Christopher Chase and fiancée Kass Johnson, and Harrison Chase. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Paula McLaughlin and partner Dr. Margaret Smith, Pastor George and wife Sandra McLaughlin, Gregory and wife Sue McLaughlin, Maggie (McLaughlin) and husband Randy Roth, and Mary McLaughlin Rogers.