Dr. Catherine Ellen Loughlin

Dr. Catherine Ellen Loughlin, 89, Professor Emeritus, University of New Mexico, and beloved Aunt, passed away on May 12, 2017, the last of her generation of the Loughlin family.  She leaves behind her humor and kindness as well as her sister-in-law Rita Loughlin; nieces and nephews, Chris Loughlin, Marcia Loughlin, Mike Loughlin, Cynthia Loughlin, Mark Loughlin, Bill Conlin, Jaime Conlin, Jack Conlin, David Conlin, and Anne Conlin.

Catherine was born in November of 1927 in New London, Connecticut to William and Nora Loughlin; growing up with her older sister Mary and brother William. She got her Bachelor’s degree in 1950 from the University of Connecticut, her Master’s degree in 1960 from Penn State, and her Doctorate from Rutgers in 1965.

Catherine spent her life from 1949 to 1994 dedicated to improving the education of children across the world starting close to home in Connecticut, to Europe, Nepal, and here in New Mexico. Her specialty was in Multicultural Teacher Education and she was instrumental in focusing on New Mexico education as director of the Early Childhood Demonstration Center, Head Start Training Programs and the Rural Teachers’ Center Project.  From 1965 till the present she spent the majority of her time in New Mexico as a key advisor in the Pueblo and Navajo Indian Head Start and Day Care Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs Kindergarten Programs and State-Wide Early Educational Programs for Bilingual/Bicultural Settings.  She was also a founder of New Mexico Education of Young Children Association.  The two books she had published; Supporting Literacy and The Learning Environment are accurate reflections of the effort and focus of her life’s work.

She loved to travel and experience the varied cultures across the globe, eventually reaching all seven continents, the last of which was Antarctica after she retired.  Her exotic gifts and stories from foreign lands both inspired and motivated her nieces and nephews to adventures of their own across the globe.  She was loved within her family dearly, her keen sense of humor and kindness leaving lasting impressions on the family legacy.

Catherine Loughlin was a wonderfully intelligent, kind, and adventurous woman.  She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

A visitation will be held Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., at FRENCH –  Westside.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd NW

505-897-0300