East Bethel, Vt. —
She was born on May 9, 1930, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Luke and Florence (Wright) McLaughlin. The family moved to Island Pond, Vt. in 1939 where Mavis grew up and graduated from Brighton High School. She went on to Johnson State Teachers College, and married Arthur Fortin, also of Island Pond, in 1950.
In 1957 the family moved to Wilder, Vt., and after completing her teaching degree at Castleton State College, Mavis began a long teaching career at Hartford Memorial Middle School, retiring in 1986.
Mavis was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed her family, sports, music, her dogs, reading, working with children and the beauty of Vermont. She had a great sense of humor, which enriched her life and helped her greatly in her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Survivors include her brother, Kenneth M. McLaughlin of Kittery, Maine; children, Beth Karlen and husband, Tom of East Bethel and Kandy Culver and husband, Richard of West Lebanon, N.H.; and grandchildren, Kacy Karlen and husband, Mike Connolly, Scott Karlen, Emily Culver and Sarah Culver. Mavis was predeceased by her husband Arthur in 2005.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests honoring her memory by thanking a teacher.
Private services will be held at a later date.