Martha P. McLaughlin
March 3, 1937-April 6, 2026
Palo Alto, California

  Martha Prindle McLaughlin, 89, of Palo Alto, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers.

She was born in Hillsborough, California, where she attended local schools and graduated from the University of California with a degree in Nursing. She worked as a nurse in San Francisco, San Jose and Stanford, but Martha dedicated her life primarily to her cherished role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt, roles she embraced with deep love and devotion. In addition to raising her family and working as a public health nurse, Martha worked as an instructor at Telesensory Systems, an early tech company that built technological aids for blind and low vision people. After her children were raised, Martha returned to work as a nurse for the Stanford Blood Bank, where she touched many lives through her care, compassion, and joy in getting to know others.  

Martha had a wide range of interests and hobbies, with tennis, golf and bridge holding a special place in her heart. She treasured the friendships she made through these activities and throughout her life. She never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend, and was the most sociable person in her family, forming meaningful connections wherever she went. Remarkably, she celebrated two hole-in-ones after the age of 80—an achievement she took great pride in! She also found great joy in reading and was an active member of several book clubs. Later in life, she shared this passion by tutoring young readers through the Avenidas volunteer program in Palo Alto. With her own grandkids scattered throughout the West Coast, this opportunity allowed Martha to indulge her grandmotherly instincts! Her energy was boundless.  

She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Jack McLaughlin; her children, Katherine Wiesenfarth (John), John McLaughlin (Laura), and David McLaughlin (Stephanie); her cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Andrew, and Ryan, Sadie, Jack, Beck, and Ella McLaughlin; as well as three loving nieces Kendra, Julie, and Melissa. Martha will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, humor, and the deep love she felt for family and friends.