Elizabeth Ann (Ricards) Delph McLaughlin, age 76, of La Plata, MD and formerly of Waldorf, MD passed away on October 5, 2014 at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, MD surrounded by her family. She was born on January 29, 1938 in South Plainfield, NJ to the late Charles L. Ricards and the late Grace B. Ricards.

In 1956, Elizabeth married Jerry Delph of Big Stone Gap, VA. They had four children. Her husband, a US Marine was tragically killed in action in Vietnam in April 1967 and Elizabeth was suddenly a widowed mother of four. She was a determined woman and a survivor and although it was not typical for women to be employed at that time, following the death of her husband, Elizabeth entered the workforce as an Avon sales representative. She successfully transitioned to the workforce while managing her family and also was very active in her community. In April 1968, Elizabeth was remarried to Francis Joseph McLaughlin, also a US Marine, from Philadelphia, PA and together they had one son.

Elizabeth suffered the loss of her second husband in 2008, and tragically three years later, the one son that they bore together, Sean F. McLaughlin, died in an accident. Elizabeth also endured the death of her grandson, Shayne Delph, who died of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2010.

Elizabeth earned her wings as the matriarch of the family and always displayed everlasting strength, kindness, and integrity. It was her dedication that kept the extended family bonded over the years.

A long term resident of Charles County, MD, she was an accomplished homemaker, beloved wife, dedicated mother, and always compassionate and charitable towards those less fortunate in the community. She was a career civil servant and retired from the Department of the Navy, Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC. Domestically, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, and cooking, particularly traditional holiday meals. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Jeffery Delph (Laura), Kevin Delph (Tina) and Richard Delph; and one daughter, Wendy Delph Morgan (Dennis). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Michelle, Lindsay, Kevin Jr, Dennis, Courtney, Sammy, Jenna, Richard Jr, Justus, Jerry, Katerina and William; two great grandchildren; brother, Charles R. Ricards; and sister, Susan J. Barbuty.

Family and friends will be received for Elizabeth's Life Celebration on Friday, October 10, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery in Bryantown, MD. Pallbearers will be Elizabeth's grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to: American Lung Association, 11720 Beltsville Drive, 3rd Floor, Beltsville, MD 20705 (or) American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite #800, Washington, DC 20004. Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.