Beatrice B. "Bea" Sears-McLaughlin, 93, of Pensacola, FL died Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Bea was born on Christmas Day 1925, living for 15 years in Glen Rock, NJ. She moved to Panama Canal Zone in 1940, graduating from Balboa High School and accepted a position at Army Headquarters, Quarry Heights during WWII. With a yearning to succeed, she worked from an under-clerk typist to branch chief, Officer Personnel Management at time of retirement. During those years she married Earl Sears and had four beloved sons. With Dad as a baseball coach, she never missed the boy's games after work, she also served as a Red Cross volunteer and a Den Mother.

Upon retirement, Bea and Earl camped throughout Central and North America seeking a retirement home; the deep-sea fisherman won. A member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, she served in previous parishes as lector and eucharistic minister. For years she was active in the Legion of Mary. A highlight during that time was a pilgrimage with Bishop Rene Gracida to Ireland and France. Studying and working with the founder of the Legion of Mary, the Legionaires later traveled to Lourdes, France where they were privileged to work in the healing baths. Bea started music lessons after the boys left for college. She bought an electronic organ and enthusiastically took lessons for many years. During that time, she became Chairman of Amateur Organists Association International, writing interviews with professional artists as well as inspirationals for organ clubs for a music magazine. At the time of her death, she was a faithful student of Albert Martin, a local professional.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ruth Bathmann; sister, Patricia O'Connel Jones; sons, Richard and Jeffrey; granddaughter, Kelly; her husband, Earl Sears and late husband, William McLaughlin.

Survivors include two sons, Gregory (Denise) of Readsboro, VT and Douglas (Cathy) of Anson, ME; as well as grandchildren, Holly, Kate, Shauna, and Jason; plus five step-children, Sharon (Mike) of The Villages, FL, Mary Ann Renaud of Pensacola, FL, Suzanne Morandi of Virginia Beach, Patrick McLaughlin of Norfolk, VA, and William (Frosty) of Winchester, VA; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 4:30pm until a memorial service to begin at 6:00pm Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the Azalea Trace Auditorium with Fr. John Licari officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.